What happened to modern day health care? It seems like throughout the years modern day healthcare has altered drastically into a Bureaucratic organization. In addition, our social institutions are becoming more and more Mcdonalized. According to the article What is McDonaldization? “McDonalization is the term invented by George Ritzer to describe a sociological phenomenon that is happening in our society.” In essence, McDonaldization is the process of rationalization, albeit taken to extreme levels” (Mcdonalization.com). Mcdonalization is considered a form of bureaucracy, which Ritzers refers to as dehumanizing. Many of the characteristics of Mcdonldization can easily be examine in the health care system, from a routine check-up or physical to a visit in the emergency room. In the past, healthcare was more simplistic in nature. For example, doctors knew their patients on a more personal level. In addition, checking on patients and making house calls wasn’t unheard of. Doctors would also make follow up appointments and keep in touch with their patients on a regular basis. The compassion for the patient was very prevalent during this time. However, now profit is becoming the most important component in the health care system. According to NP Oddessy, “Like a fancy restaurant, the more times they can turn over a table during a shift, the more money made. Hospitals use beds instead tables. Healthcare has been broken down into small parts, like an assembly line of care” (NP oddessy.com). We can see how healthcare is transitioning into a Beaucratic organization by looking at four components: Calculability, Efficiency, Predictability and Control.
In the hospital setting calculability is quite clear. According to the article What is McD...
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"The McDonaldization of Society by G. Ritzer - Anglo Higher® Publishes News, Commentary and Opinion About Global Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Professional Training." The McDonaldization of Society by G. Ritzer - Anglo Higher® Publishes News, Commentary and Opinion About Global Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Professional Training. Hamid Yeganeh, 2009. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. .
"McDonaldization.com - What Is It?" McDonaldization.com - What Is It? Rogue Valley Group, 2009. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. .
Ritzer, George. "The McDonalization of Society." (n.d.): n. pag. Visons of Society: The Beaucratization of Society. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. .
McDonald's is one of the multiple fast food restaurants that serve greasy and oversized meals that are harmful to the human body. Throughout a thirty day McDonald's only diet, Spurlock surrounds himself with logos, ethos, and pathos to impact the viewer's opinion on the true cost of eating fast food
Twenty-first century health care system in United States is not only complex, but also profoundly different from "what it used to be." The changes are numerous and represent the major shifts involved in moving from protection and delivery plan, based primarily on what the patient wanted, to a skeptically managed healthcare system. The American health care system has seen drastic changes within couple generations and it continues to evolve.
Due to the fact that I want to become a healthcare administrator in the future, this book is an incredible resource. The United States healthcare system is a complete and total disaster; it has become the driver of social and economic instability for most American families. Insurance companies, pharmaceutical corporations and government bureaucrats filling their pockets from America’s largest, most dysfunctional industry. In 2004, the USA spent $3 trillion on healthcare, more "than the next ten biggest spenders combined: Japan, Germany, France, China, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Spain, and Australia" (Brill, p. 4). As Brill details, the healthcare system is dysfunctional because of the influence of the pharmaceutical, hospital and medical lobbies who influence decisions made by officials in the government (Brill,
I agree with Moses et al. (2013) when they wrote “As long as health care is caught in a triangle between patients, clinicians, and public health, the problems that are plaguing health care in the United States will continue,” (Moses et al., 2013). I agree with the documentary, Money and Medicine, (2012) when it supported the idea that Americans will continue to have the “do more” attitude as long as they are not educated about the risk to the procedures (PBS, 2012). Warner (2014) wrote about disassociation between healthcare and clients; I believe that supports both of the sources (Warner,
sociologist George Ritzer argues that the relationship between McDonald’s and our society runs even deeper. Beyond its commercial propaganda and symbolism, Ritzer says, McDonald’s is a potent manifestation of the rational processes that define modern society.
In 1998, McDonald’s, in order to remain strong, tested the “McDonald’s Big Xtras” or “MBX” which was a potential hit. The “MBX” was a 4.5-ounce burger launched mainly to compete with Burger King’s “Whopper”. It was also reminiscent of the1980s “McDLT”, In ’98; they also brought back the “Filet-O-Fish” which in 1996 had been replaced by “Fish Filet Deluxe”. On a promotion basis, they offered novelty sandwiches, like “Cheddar Melt” and the “McRib”.
The U.S. healthcare system is very complex in structure hence it can be appraised with diverse perspectives. From one viewpoint it is described as the most unparalleled health care system in the world, what with the cutting-edge medical technology, the high quality human resources, and the constantly-modernized facilities that are symbolic of the system. This is in addition to the proliferation of innovations aimed at increasing life expectancy and enhancing the quality of life as well as diagnostic and treatment options. At the other extreme are the fair criticisms of the system as being fragmented, inefficient and costly. What are the problems with the U.S. healthcare system? These are the questions this opinion paper tries to propound.
Malone, Elizabeth, and George Ritzer. "Globalization Theory: Lessons from the Exportation of McDonaldization and the New Means of Consumption." Amerstud (2008): 97-112. Web. 26 Apr 2011. .
According to Royle (1999) McDonald’s is a very large multinational enterprise (MNE) and the largest food service operation in the world. Currently the company has 1.5 million workers with 23,500 stores in over 110 countries with the United Kingdom and Germany amongst the corporation’s six biggest markets, and over 12,000 restaurants in the United States. In 1974 the United Kingdom corporation was established and in 1971 the Germany corporation was established, currently the combined corporation has over 900 restaurants and close to 50,000 employees in each of these countries (Royle, 1999).
To begin with, efficiency, with the aim of maintaining time for doctors take care of patients. Efficiency means the optimum method for getting from one point to another. For general out-patient clinics, making appointment is necessary before you get consultant. Doctors only spend around a few minutes consulting to a patient, and one case per each time in order to manage large amount patients who were waiting.
"Studying McDonald's ABroad: Overseas Branches Merge Regional Preferences, Corporate Directives." Editorial. Nations Restaurant News 11 Nov. 2005: n. pag. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 5 Mar. 2013.
First, my personal reaction to this is documentary is an eye opener. I knew McDonalds was more harmful to than other fast food places, but I never knew about the lawsuit between McDonalds and it consumers. I never saw McDonalds as having big impact on my life; this is probably because the McDonald’s in my hometown never had a super-size option. In the video, Spurlock conducted interviews to gain ...
RITZER, G (2008) The McDonaldisation of Society (5th edition) London: Sage. (Ch. 3 – Efficiency)
In today’s market, McDonalds faces numerous challenges such as fierce competition, a more health conscious customer, and the continual need for improved customer satisfaction and menu. McDonalds needs to go through some changes in order to remain ahead in the fast-food industry.
Vignali, C. (2001). McDonald’s: “think global, act local”--the marketing mix. British Food Journal, 103(2), pp.97--111.