ABFM Sports Medicine case studies
ABFM Sports Medicine · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Sports Medicine is a subspecialty credential offered through the American Board of Family Medicine for family physicians who want to demonstrate expertise in the care of active patients, from weekend runners to competitive athletes. It signals that a physician can manage musculoskeletal injury, sideline emergencies, exercise prescription, and the medical problems that surface or worsen with training. The exam is multiple choice and spans the full breadth of sports medicine: injury diagnosis and management, medical conditions in athletes, exercise physiology, emergency assessment, preparticipation evaluation, rehabilitation and return to play, nutrition and ergogenic aids, special populations, and practice systems. Preparation is usually built around a structured review of high-yield musculoskeletal and sideline topics, plenty of radiograph and ECG interpretation practice, and deliberate work on the areas you avoided in residency. The ABFM Sports Medicine case studies are 5 cases and about 1,705 words.
1Collapsed Ultramarathon Runner with Hyponatremia
A 42-year-old male is brought to the medical tent at mile 80 of a 100-mile ultramarathon on a hot, humid day (WBGT 28°C). He is confused, agitated, and has vomited twice.
357 words, about 2 min2Young Athlete with Exertional Syncope and Family History
A 16-year-old male basketball player presents for a preparticipation evaluation. He reports two episodes of syncope during practice in the past year, both occurring during sprint drills.
320 words, about 2 min3Marathon Runner with Iron Deficiency Without Anemia
A 28-year-old female marathon runner presents with fatigue and decreased performance over 3 months. She runs 60 miles per week and follows a vegetarian diet.
332 words, about 2 min4Adolescent with Concussion and Return to Learn
A 15-year-old female soccer player sustains a head injury during a game after colliding with another player. She did not lose consciousness but had a headache and dizziness immediately.
342 words, about 2 min5Type 1 Diabetic Cyclist with Hypoglycemia During Race
A 35-year-old male with type 1 diabetes on an insulin pump is competing in a 120-mile gran fondo. His basal rate is set at 1.0 U/hr.
354 words, about 2 min