Professional attitude:
«Solidarität lässt sich nicht an den Staat delegieren,
es braucht Mitmenschen, die sich der Notleidenden annehmen.»
Solidarity cannot be delegated to the state, it needs fellow human beings who take care of those in need.
Guido A. Zäch, founder of the Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Nottwil
Place of work: Institute of Sportmedicine Nottwil, Swiss Paraplegic Centre
Where I studied: University of Zürich
My sports background: highschool track and field, windsurfing, running
Best movie: Roots (history of African American Slavery), 8 hours long!
Best book: depends on mood and topic
Best music: Freddie Mercury with the band Queen
Dear Phil, can you tell us how and why you got interested in becoming a sports and exercise medicine doctor?
I had the privilege to grow up in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (Mount Hagen), and experienced how rewarding being a doctor can be. The doctors in a nearby mission hospital were impressively dedicated to helping the needy.
During my basic GP studies in Switzerland, I spent two years as a junior doctor in the Swiss Paraplegic Centre. I helped out in the sports medicine department, and that triggered my whole sports medical career (thank you Christian Brunner!). I was in my first SEMS course in the Höhenklinik Davos in summer 2000 (Beat Villiger).
What is your current activity?
After running a sports medicine practice in downtown Zürich for 15 years, I received the opportunity to switch to the Institute of sports medicine at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil. My team and I are responsible for health, performance development and safeguarding of the Swiss paraplegic athletes and furthermore for all standing athletes (Swiss Olympic Medical Centre) of the region and beyond.
Why do you care about SEMS courses and contributing?
I have always been the practical doc, close to patients and students. I enjoy sharing my passion for, and experience in, sports medicine in a genuine style.
Tell us about your course: what is it about and how have you constructed it?
We have the overall theme: internal medicine and sports, some of which you will read about in this magazine. My speakers are the best in their field of expertise, we try to convene to the course participants that sports-related internal medicine can have a different scope than a pure clinical approach. It is also a prime goal of SEMS to give the upcoming sports doctors in-depth insights into the special topic: sports with a disability.
How do you make your course memorable for future SEM doctors?
The course location on the campus of the Swiss Paraplegic Centre is a once in a lifetime experience for the SEM doctors. Experiencing sports in a wheelchair (basketball) and racing with a handbike, but also meeting worldclass athletes with a disability opens an unknown world of sports to all.
What are the main medical challenges for the SEM field?
Being a good clinical doctor doesn’t automatically mean you are a good sports doctor. Generating passion in the professionals (sports doctors, sports physio, sports psychologists…) to get physically involved in athlete support, to dig into on-field presence and experience athletes doing their training, is a challenge for SEM. Being a virtual team doctor out of a clinic office with a minimum of hands-on experience, you will not win the genuine trust of the athletes and staff.
How do you see the role of SEMS in education beyond the courses?
SEMS is a platform where sports professionals, sports teams and individual athletes find evidence-based information and teaching. SEMS can be the connection to similar international platforms and their programs.
If I had a wish…
I would dearly like to re-experience all the national and international sports events I was privileged to be a doctor with. Summer Universiades in Turkey, Thailand, Belgrade, Shenzhen, Kazan, Gwangju, Paralympics in Rio, South Korea and Japan. The countless emotions of winning and losing, the team spirits, the lifelong friendships: the rewards of being a sports doctor!
What is your advice to a younger self entering the SEMS curriculum?
It takes both: firstly, clinical professionals who also have an eye on sports-related approaches in their field of expertise. Don’t simply call yourself SEM Sportsdoc, work on your specific knowledge of sport in your medical specialty. Secondly, it needs on-field professionals, who dedicate many years to gain experience, proximity and in-depth passion to a sport and its athletes. If you want to go this way, then join a national team as staff, tag along as a “junior” in the tournaments, where you will train, eat and live with the athletes. Enjoy their striving spirit, share their sorrows. It is a most rewarding experience to be a sports doctor.
Dr Jungen, thank you for your time and insights.
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