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Sport & Exercise Medicine

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Sport and Exercise Physicians are medical doctors with specialist training in the management of sports injuries and illnesses, as well as the development of specific exercise programs tailored to each individual’s personal needs and limitations.

All of our doctors have experience looking after elite athletes and apply these principles to the management of all patients, whether they are recreational athletes, manual workers or those with chronic diseases simply wanting to safely increase their activity levels.

They are often the first point of contact to the Sports Medicine team:

  • Assessing and diagnosing injuries or illness
  • Devising and coordinating a comprehensive, multifaceted management program
  • Managing medical problems in the context of exercise e.g. asthma, heart disease, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies
  • Assisting adolescents and younger people with sport and exercise issues
  • Developing exercise programs for the relatively inactive and those with chronic diseases

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU:

The Sport and Exercise Physicians at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre are trained to make the appropriate diagnosis, and just as importantly, detect the causes or risk factors that lead to the development of the condition, to minimise the risk of recurrence. Many of our doctors are also trained in the use of our on-site ultrasound for assessing musculoskeletal injuries as well as guiding various interventions. As doctors we can access all the appropriate investigations from x-rays to blood tests, ECG’s to complex imaging, including rebateable MRI scans.

Once the diagnosis is made we can advise on treatment and arrange for the appropriate referrals. This may involve advice on activity and exercise that can be safely undertaken, the appropriate rehabilitation program, the prescription of medications, or injection of joints, which can now be performed by our doctors under ultrasound guidance. Where further specialist allied health and other medical specialist advice is warranted we can arrange rapid referral to the appropriate practitioners.

Whilst much of our work involves musculoskeletal problems, we are also specifically trained to manage medical problems that can be affected by exercise including diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease and nutritional deficiencies. They can specifically advise you on the appropriate exercise programs that can help in the effective treatment of your medical condition. Our doctors can also arrange travel advice and vaccinations as many of them travel with sporting teams.

We also offer Shockwave Therapy, Compartment Pressure testing, Iontophoresis and Ultrasound Guided Injections.

OPSMC offers Sport & Exercise Medicine services at our Olympic Park and Geelong Campuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

 
01

Do I need a referral?

A GP or medical specialist referral is required to see a Sport and Exercise Physician. GP referrals are valid for 12 months from the date of your visit one of our Sport and Exercise Physicians. Other medical specialist referrals are valid for 3 months from the date of your first visit to one of our Sport and Exercise Physicians.

A GP referral is not required to see one of our Sport and Exercise Medicine Registrars. Our SEM Registrars are supervised by our Sport and Exercise Physicians and are all accredited trainees of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP).

02

What do I need to bring?

  • ALL previous imaging (films and reports) relevant to your presenting condition
  • Blood tests results
  • ECG results
  • Any referrals from your GP and other treating practitioners
  • Comfortable clothes to change into should you need to be examined by your doctor
03

How long will the session take?

Initial consultations are generally 40 minutes in duration. Review consultations generally take 20 minutes, but these are at the discretion of your doctor.

04

Can I get a rebate?

All consultations are Medicare rebateable provided you have a valid GP or specialist medical referral. It is up to the patient to ensure their current referral is up to date. Consultations with our SEM registrars attract a Medicare rebate, but at a lesser rate than our Sport and Exercise Physicians.

05

Is this service covered by Private Health Insurance?

Consultations with our doctors are not eligible for rebates through your Private Health Insurance.

06

Can a Sports and Exercise Physician refer me for a rebateable MRI Scan?

Your Sport and Exercise Physician can refer you for a rebateable MRI scan. Our SEM Registrars can refer you for a number of rebateable MRI scans provided they adhere to specific Medicare guidelines. You should discuss this with your doctor

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What’s the difference between a Sport and Exercise Physician, Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) Registrar and Sports Doctor?

A Sport and Exercise Physician is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, and have completed a Specialist Training Program of at least 4 years’ duration.

A Sport and Exercise Medicine Registrar is currently an accredited trainee of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, under the supervision of the many Fellows working across our clinics. They have completed the pre-requisite medical and hospital based training.

A Sports Doctor is a medically trained doctor who has often then gone on to complete General Practitioner training and then a diploma or short course in Sports Medicine.

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For general FAQs relating to our campuses, please see below:

Campus key

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Melbourne Campus
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Telehealth Campus
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