Orthopedic and sports medicine physicians take on a great deal of responsibility when they agree to serve as a team physician for athletes at any level, and the commitment is especially cumbersome for professional teams. Timothy Hupfer, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoIndy in Indianapolis, discusses the challenges and rewards associated with his role as the Indiana Pacers head team physician.
Q: What do you find most challenging about being head team physician for a professional athletic team?
Dr. Timothy Hupfer: You're dealing with athletes who, when they are injured, want to be healed yesterday. These athletes' livelihoods depend on being able to play sports and perform well. We also have to coordinate communication with the team management about the athletes' condition and treatment plan.
Because everything has to be done so quickly, you have to limit your office hours and your surgery schedule during the season. You often have to end the operating day earlier on game days and be prepared to evaluate a player at a moment's notice. The athlete and team depend on you to schedule an MRI quickly and communicate the results quickly, which may mean putting some other responsibilities on hold. I also travel with the team on the road during the playoffs, and that takes time away from my regular practice.
Q: How do you respond to injured athletes who want to play through the pain?
TH: You always do what is best for the athlete. We always tell them we won't clear them for play if there is a significant risk of injury. When I release them, I tell them they can push to the limits of their capabilities. You want to create a rapport with the players so they trust you won't release them too soon or wait too long.
Additionally, a lot of these players want second and third opinions, and you can't let that affect your ego. They will respect your opinion, but they want to hear from others as well, and they often want your help with that. You can guide them to other specialists.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your role as team physician?
TH: I think it's rewarding to be able to work with some of the best athletes in the world, and a first-class training staff. It also helps keep me on the cutting edge of what is going on in sports medicine. The most common injuries we see are back and ankle injuries, and there's some exciting things being done in those fields. There are new therapies we can use with the athletes. These players are pushing the technology and research for treating injured athletes.
Q: What advice do you have for orthopedic and sports medicine physicians who are considering taking on the responsibilities of a team physician at any level?
TH: You have to enjoy the sport you are covering. You have to go into this knowing you're there to help out, but you aren't the focus of everything. You aren't going to be best friends with the players. You have to treat them as patients, and when you do that it works out for the best.
Learn more about Dr. Timothy Hupfer.
Related Articles on Team Physicians for Professional Athletes:
8 Points for Spine Surgeons Treating Professional Athletes
8 Biggest Challenges Facing Team Physicians for Professional Athletes
8 Best Practices for Treating High-Level Athletes
Q: What do you find most challenging about being head team physician for a professional athletic team?
Dr. Timothy Hupfer: You're dealing with athletes who, when they are injured, want to be healed yesterday. These athletes' livelihoods depend on being able to play sports and perform well. We also have to coordinate communication with the team management about the athletes' condition and treatment plan.
Because everything has to be done so quickly, you have to limit your office hours and your surgery schedule during the season. You often have to end the operating day earlier on game days and be prepared to evaluate a player at a moment's notice. The athlete and team depend on you to schedule an MRI quickly and communicate the results quickly, which may mean putting some other responsibilities on hold. I also travel with the team on the road during the playoffs, and that takes time away from my regular practice.
Q: How do you respond to injured athletes who want to play through the pain?
TH: You always do what is best for the athlete. We always tell them we won't clear them for play if there is a significant risk of injury. When I release them, I tell them they can push to the limits of their capabilities. You want to create a rapport with the players so they trust you won't release them too soon or wait too long.
Additionally, a lot of these players want second and third opinions, and you can't let that affect your ego. They will respect your opinion, but they want to hear from others as well, and they often want your help with that. You can guide them to other specialists.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your role as team physician?
TH: I think it's rewarding to be able to work with some of the best athletes in the world, and a first-class training staff. It also helps keep me on the cutting edge of what is going on in sports medicine. The most common injuries we see are back and ankle injuries, and there's some exciting things being done in those fields. There are new therapies we can use with the athletes. These players are pushing the technology and research for treating injured athletes.
Q: What advice do you have for orthopedic and sports medicine physicians who are considering taking on the responsibilities of a team physician at any level?
TH: You have to enjoy the sport you are covering. You have to go into this knowing you're there to help out, but you aren't the focus of everything. You aren't going to be best friends with the players. You have to treat them as patients, and when you do that it works out for the best.
Learn more about Dr. Timothy Hupfer.
Related Articles on Team Physicians for Professional Athletes:
8 Points for Spine Surgeons Treating Professional Athletes
8 Biggest Challenges Facing Team Physicians for Professional Athletes
8 Best Practices for Treating High-Level Athletes