We at ACSM are excited that, in 2019, attendees of Sports Medicine Essentials – An Interactive Course will have a completely new experience. The redesigned course (formerly the ACSM Team Physician Course, Sports Medicine Essentials) uses a dynamic and interactive format to present fundamental information. Taught by a diverse group of highly trained and nationally recognized faculty, Sports Medicine Essentials provides for ample opportunity to learn from experts in the sports medicine field who are prepared to answer your questions.

The course is designed for a broad range of primary care practitioners who desire to expand and improve their clinical musculoskeletal knowledge and skills. Sports Medicine Essentials will be a valued experience for physicians, residents-in-training, athletic trainers, physical therapists, nurse practitioners, chiropractors and allied health care professionals who will have primary access to athletes of all types and ages.

What sets Sports Medicine Essentials apart from other courses is the new, interactive, hands-on design. Breakout exam stations and sports medicine skills stations will allow small groups to work directly with the faculty to practice the skills that will improve your care of patients in the clinic and athletes on the field. This design allows for instruction and direct feedback on the techniques most important to you, such as imaging review, injections techniques and bracing/splinting.

In addition to the hands-on sessions, attendees will:

• Learn the complexities of the new concussion guidelines and practice concussion exam skills;
• Experience sessions in a case-based design to help apply the learnings in a clinical setting;
• Hear about the latest advancements in injury prevention and pain management;
• Practice examinations of joints susceptible to athletic injury.

A preconference session on basic ultrasound in sports medicine will also be offered on Wednesday, February 6^th.

Along with co-chairs Dr. John Hatzenbuehler and Dr. Mary Lloyd Ireland, I invite you to join us in New Orleans, February 7-10, 2019  for this educational learning opportunity!

View the preliminary program and register for the course by December 19^th to take advantage of early pricing.

Mark R. Hutchinson, M.D., FACSM, serves as chair of the ACSM Medical Education Committee. He practices in the Department of Orthopaedics at UI Health (University of Illinois). Dr. Hutchinson is the director of Sports Medicine, and he serves as the head team physician for UIC Flames Athletics. He has nearly three decades of involvement with Team USA Athletics, and he was part of the official medical staff for Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.