Assignment 9: Reflection (Step 3 of Creating an Annotated Bibliography)

The article “Pediatric Sports Care is Growing Business” discusses the heightened demand of pediatric sports care due to the increased participation of youth sports. Throughout the year, young athletes are engaged in multiple high-intensity sports and do not allow for their body to take a break. This causes a greater risk of injuries due to overuse and untreated accidents. Pediatric sports care has been undermined and overlooked as a costly expense to insurance companies, but when in fact, it decreases budgets by preventing unnecessary testing and surgeries. Although there is great trust between parent and physician, many physical therapists are now working with physicians to bypass the step of scheduling a visit to receive a physical therapist referral. At high school and middle school sporting events, there have been an increase of pediatric sports therapists, who are on sight and treating young athletes. In most cases, there are no athletic trainers or therapists certified to care for significant injuries, which go unmanaged and cause greater deterioration to the body.

Overall, this article fits my potential research by supporting my essential question of “How does pediatric sports care affect adolescent health?” It provides evidence that pediatric sports medicine is a growing sector of healthcare and is one that is undermined. To use the source’s full potential, I plan on using it to enhance my overall research and to further my answer for my essential question.