What is Rationalization?
George Ritzer, an American sociologist, professor, and author, is known for his studies in globalization, patterns of consumption, and modern social theory. His four dimensions of rationalization are constructs that provide a baseline understanding for how modern-day societies have morphed into highly rationalized and efficient populations. He proposed this theory in his novel, The McDonaldization of Society, which was published in 1993. Specifically, the book examined the industrial expertise of the fast-food industry, in this case, McDonalds. His main points argued that rationalization has become the dominating force in the modern world. It shapes behavior and affects/controls various aspects of our lives.
A Brief History
Ritzer’s dimensions of rationalization can be applied to multiple occupations, institutions, etc.… The profession of sports medicine specifically, is evident in its four realms of rationalization. The business of sports medicine dates back in its long and fascinating history to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, the Romans, and the Greeks. With how active these ancient societies were, they recognized the effects of physical activity and the important need to treat injuries as well as prevent them from happening to begin with (McIntosh, 2018). Doing this is an example of ancient civilizations applying control to their highly active lives. Ancient sports medicine practices in these civilizations played a huge role in the development of modern medicine.
Now, we see professionals placing a huge emphasis on preventative care. After all, that is the root of the problem. We see high valued athletes being equipped with proper and researched training as well as nutrition to reduce risk of injury. Along with this, medical staff belonging to these schools and programs work closely with coaches and team managers to monitor the athletes’ health all year long or for as long as they are on the team. In addition, there is a greater understanding now of the importance of recovery, and athletes are provided proper time off to recuperate from injuries.
Emergence of Sports Medicine
In 1911, the world’s first sports medicine establishment took form in Dresden, Germany (Ergen, accessed 2023). During this century, breakthroughs in sports medicine began popping up all around the globe. In the United States, a doctor named Frank Jobe made history in 1974 when he performed the first successful “Tommy John” surgery. The “Tommy John” surgery is a surgical procedure that repairs a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow of baseball pitchers. This procedure revolutionized the treatment of elbow injuries in baseball players and regular individuals as it has since become a standard and rather simple procedure for many athletes (Goldstein, 2014). A decade later, in the 1980s, sports medicine continued to progress in all fields, especially with the development of arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique that allows doctors to treat certain joint problems with small incisions. The technique was pioneered by Dr. Watanabe, a Japanese surgeon who quickly gained popularity around the world after this discovery (DeMaio, 2013). Jumping forward to more recent years, sports medicine has continued to evolve in its complexity and breakthroughs. One of the more profound and significant advances has been the study and application of regenerative processes. This highly complicated system uses stem cells and biological material in order to restore and repair damaged tissues and thus accelerate recovery time.
Development and Progression
In the modern day, we have clinics, centers, and facilities that are all equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by specialized professionals. Advancements in technology have also had a profound impact on the development of practices and mechanisms in sports medicine. One of the most significant discoveries being the use of diagnostic imaging techniques. These methods first began being used in the early 1900’s. At this time, a patient was required to stand still for long periods of time. These early scanning machines were also pretty dangerous as humans were exposed to intense radiation exposure during the imaging process. We see the very first concept of medical imaging in the invention of the X-ray by Wilhelm Rontgen, a German professor of physics, in 1895, and then the first use of it in the United States in Long Island, NY (Bercovich, 2018). These imaging techniques have completely revolutionized medicine, allowing professionals to accurately identify the extent of injuries and develop effective treatment plans.
Through the growth of the field of sports medicine, more and more people are becoming interested in leading healthy, active lifestyles. With this exponential growth comes a need for certification to ensure that those working in the field are qualified to provide the necessary and proper care. The history of the professions certification is unique and intriguing as the profession has evolved from a large unregulated industry to a now highly specialized practice with strict standards for required experience and education.
Required Education
Within the field are certain subcategories: physical therapy, psychology, nutrition, and athletic training. The rising need for professionals in each of these subfields is constantly growing so let's examine the study/schooling required for the fields as well as the potential jobs and pay. The first piece of education and training requirements calls for a strong educational background and specialized training. Most professionals need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the related fields. Some of the more common/popular fields of study are exercise science, kinesiology, athletic training, and physical therapy. A bachelor’s degree will provide an individual with a strong foundation in the fundamentals. It requires rigorous and rather challenging completion of coursework, however. Topics such as anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, and psychology, are all required courses for an undergrad student.
Modernization and Importance
George Ritzer’s four dimensions of rationalization have transformed the field of sports medicine in magnificent and never before seen ways. The increases in efficiency, predictability, calculability, and control have forever changed the world of medicine and have saved and continue to save countless lives. Our ability to control almost every aspect of our health and injuries is truly amazing and is something that continues to improve every day. However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks of modernization and acknowledge that although it has greatly improved medicine, it might not be the best choice for other aspects of our lives. As things become more modernized and rationalized, there is a certain loss of personal liberties and individualized care. Although standardization increases efficiency and control, it strips practitioners of their professional personality. As sports medicine continues to evolve, it is imperative to strike a balance between the benefits of rationalization and the continued maintenance of a human-centered approach to healthcare.
Sources
8, O. (2018, October 8). The history of Medicine in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Brewminate. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://brewminate.com/the-history-of-medicine-in-ancient-egypt-greece-and-rome/
Latest issue. Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal - The origins of sports medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.aspetar.com/journal/viewarticle.aspx?id=322#.ZEAjw-zMK3I
MC;, B. E. J. (n.d.). Medical imaging: From Roentgen to the Digital Revolution, and beyond. Rambam Maimonides medical journal. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30309440/
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