TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Scettri, Emiliano
AU  -  Battista, Francesca
AU  -  Vecchiato, Marco
AU  -  Bianco, Massimiliano
AU  -  Sollazzo, Fabrizio
AU  -  Monti, Riccardo
AU  -  Ermolao, Andrea
AU  -  Palmieri, Vincenzo
AU  -  Neunhaeuserer, Daniel
T1  -  Teaching of sports and exercise medicine in Italian University Degree Programmes in Medicine and Surgery: quo vadis?
PY  -  2025
Y1  -  2025-04-01
DO  -  10.1728/4594.46016
JO  -  Medicina dello Sport
JA  -  Med Sport
VL  -  78
IS  -  2
SP  -  105
EP  -  113
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  1827-1863
Y2  -  2026/04/16
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1728/4594.46016
N2  -  Summary. Introduction. Physical activity and exercise are effective strategies for preventing and treating chronic diseases. Counselling and prescription of physical activity must be part of the curricula of the University degree programmes in Medicine and Surgery. This study examines the current level of training on these topics provided to medical students in Italy. Methods. We analysed the content and teaching methods related to Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) in University degree programmes in Medicine and Surgery through a structured survey. The survey was disseminated among the twenty-seven directors of Italian Postgraduate Schools of Medical Specialisation in SEM, who are directly involved in University education in this field. Results. Twenty-four Universities responded to the survey, representing 89% of currently active Schools. 83% of respondents judged the current training in SEM to be inadequate. In 23 courses, the number of dedicated University Educational Credits (CFU/ECTS) is between 1 and 2, i.e. fewer than 20 hours over a six-years single cycle degree course. Optional courses are offered in 29% of Universities. The most frequent topics in the syllabus were functional assessment (42%), exercise prescription (33%), sports cardiology (29%), and preventive physical activity (29%). 25% and 57% of mandatory and optional courses, respectively, are taught by medical instructors specialise in SEM. The lack of consideration of SEM is seen as the main obstacle to adequate training. Conclusions. Although “Medicine of Physical Activity and Wellbeing” is a mandatory core learning activity for University degree programmes in Medicine and Surgery in Italy, its implementation varies across Universities. In order to ensure specific skills for all physicians and thus benefits for the National Health System, it is essential to define a core curriculum in this area of great medical and societal relevance, also by involving specialists in SEM.
ER  -