Dr. Bobby Chhabra, an award-winning orthopedic hand surgeon, serves as the Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Virginia. In addition, Bobby Chhabra is a team physician for the University’s Department of Athletics.
In general, team physicians are responsible for managing and providing medical care to a sports team’s athletes. Although a team physician’s specific duties may vary, depending on the type of team and associated sport, all team physicians perform a number of basic functions, such as learning the medical histories of the individual players, arranging for equipment and medications needed for use in away games, and understanding the chronic injuries and conditions of all players. While on the job, team physicians monitor and maintain the health of team members. This includes assessing players’ ability to compete on game days, as well as managing and treating injuries and other medical emergencies.
Medical and educational qualifications to become a team physician include having extensive medical training and a doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) from a recognized university. Degrees must include an unrestricted license to practice medicine, and all team physicians are required to know proper CPR techniques and defibrillator use. They must demonstrate fundamental knowledge of on-field emergency medical care and detailed knowledge of a variety of medical and psychological conditions. Although not required, team physicians can also benefit from fellowship training and actual clinical practice in sports medicine.
In general, team physicians are responsible for managing and providing medical care to a sports team’s athletes. Although a team physician’s specific duties may vary, depending on the type of team and associated sport, all team physicians perform a number of basic functions, such as learning the medical histories of the individual players, arranging for equipment and medications needed for use in away games, and understanding the chronic injuries and conditions of all players. While on the job, team physicians monitor and maintain the health of team members. This includes assessing players’ ability to compete on game days, as well as managing and treating injuries and other medical emergencies.
Medical and educational qualifications to become a team physician include having extensive medical training and a doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) from a recognized university. Degrees must include an unrestricted license to practice medicine, and all team physicians are required to know proper CPR techniques and defibrillator use. They must demonstrate fundamental knowledge of on-field emergency medical care and detailed knowledge of a variety of medical and psychological conditions. Although not required, team physicians can also benefit from fellowship training and actual clinical practice in sports medicine.
