Game Changer- Beyond Burnout: The Hidden Cost of High-Stakes Sports Medicine Care

Friday, July 10, 2026

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PDT

Location: Level 4, Hall 4C

General Session Moderator(s)

Armando Vidal, MD

The Steadman Clinic
Vail, CO, United States

Disclosure(s): Bodycad: Consultant (Ongoing), Own stock options in a privately held ineligible company (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing); Stryker Sports Medicine: Consultant (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing), Speaker (Ongoing)
Rachel Frank, MD

Professor
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Denver, CO, United States

Disclosure(s): Arthrex Inc: Consultant (Ongoing), Researcher (Ongoing), Speaker (Ongoing); JRF Ortho: Researcher (Ongoing); Stryker: Speaker (Ongoing)

General Session Presenter(s)

Jeffrey Smith, MD, FAAOS, FACS, PCC

Surgeon Coach / Division Chief, Orthopedic Trauma / Orthopaedic Trauma Medical Director
SurgeonMasters / Scripps Clinic Medical Group / Scripps Memorial Hospital
San Diego, CA, United States

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Session Panelist(s)

Jeffrey Dugas, MD

Fellowship Director
Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center American Sports Medicine Institute
Birmingham, AL, United States

Disclosure(s): Arthrex: Researcher (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing), Speaker (Ongoing); Smith & Nephew: Researcher (Ongoing); Topical Gear: Own stock options in a privately held ineligible company (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing)
Travis Maak, MD

Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Head Team Physician Utah Jazz
University of Utah

Disclosure(s): Arthrex: Consultant (Ongoing), Speaker (Ongoing)
AB

Asheesh Bedi, MD

University of MIchigan Hospitals

Disclosure(s): Arthrex Inc: Consultant (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing)
Brian Busconi, MD

University of Massachusetts

Disclosure(s): Arthrex: Consultant (Ongoing); DePuy Mitek: Consultant (Ongoing); Pacira: Consultant (Ongoing)

Disclosure(s):

Armando F. Vidal, MD: Bodycad: Consultant (Ongoing), Own stock options in a privately held ineligible company (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing); Stryker Sports Medicine: Consultant (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing), Speaker (Ongoing)

Rachel M. Frank, MD: Arthrex Inc: Consultant (Ongoing), Researcher (Ongoing), Speaker (Ongoing); JRF Ortho: Researcher (Ongoing); Stryker: Speaker (Ongoing)

Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FAAOS, FACS, PCC: No financial relationships to disclose

Jeffrey R. Dugas, MD: Arthrex: Researcher (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing), Speaker (Ongoing); Smith & Nephew: Researcher (Ongoing); Topical Gear: Own stock options in a privately held ineligible company (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing)

Travis G. Maak, MD: Arthrex: Consultant (Ongoing), Speaker (Ongoing)

Asheesh Bedi, MD: Arthrex Inc: Consultant (Ongoing), Royalties (Ongoing)

Brian Busconi, MD: Arthrex: Consultant (Ongoing); DePuy Mitek: Consultant (Ongoing); Pacira: Consultant (Ongoing)

Sports medicine physicians face increasing pressure from unrealistic expectations, consumer-driven healthcare, constant connectivity, and public scrutiny. Through real-world cases and candid discussion, this session explores how these forces contribute to burnout and moral injury and provides practical strategies to protect professional fulfillment while delivering exceptional patient care. Defining burnout vs. moral injury in sports medicine. Expectation inflation, consumer medicine, and loss of boundaries. No-Win Scenarios Panel Discussion: Why these challenges lead to burnout and moral injury. Practical strategies for resilience, communication, and boundary setting