The Quest for
Status in a Title
Steven
Jungbauer, MA, MBA, FAACVPR
"Exercise
Physiologist"
Koscuisko
Community Hospital
Health
and Wellness Center
For several
months, a topic of conversation among exercise physiologists has been an
editorial that appeared in the journal, Clinical Exercise Physiology (Keteyian,
1999). This article revisits the issue of title. More specifically,
"Who is an Exercise Physiologist?" The author contends that he is
"somewhat uncomfortable with the use of the title clinical exercise physiologist
by people who are not doctorally prepared." His argument is formed
from a 20-year-old telephone conversation he had with a "full professor
in the biology department" who challenged his use of the title "exercise
physiologist" while being only masters prepared in exercise physiology.
To further the argument he looks back at the lack of written material to
define exercise physiology but contends that a letter from the American
College of Sports Medicine defined the academic requirement by referring
to a doctoral degree.
Personally,
I have grown tired of this debate. For too long, doctoral prepared academicians
parading as exercise physiologists have failed to advance "their" profession.
This lack of growth is the result of professional apathy, ignorance and
selfishness on the part of those who we have looked toward for knowledge,
leadership and enlightenment. Here are some thoughts of my own that I wish
would close this debate, although they are probably more salt for open
wounds.
Like
most graduate students, professors who earned their doctorate in exercise
physiology taught my classes. Among masters students it was etched
in our brains that exercise physiologists are masters prepared. I will
bet that the same information is provided to doctoral students and to bachelor
students about their title upon earning their degree. As we progress
up the academic totem pole we want distinction from those who occupy the
space beneath our feet. While the title "exercise physiologist" is fought
over in our profession, other professions share their title and have satisfied
their need for academic distinction with credentials prominently placed
after their name.
That
brings us to the question, "Should the title used in the profession of
exercise physiology be applied differently from other professions?" The
answer is simple. There should be no difference. Let me explain by using
a couple of medical examples. Feel free to apply this same logic to other
professions and the point becomes even stronger. A nurse is a nurse and
those in the nursing profession are proud of their title "nurse". If you
study nursing as a major at any academic level (associate, bachelor, or
master) you graduate and use the title "nurse". To differentiate academic
status BSN or MSN are displayed with their name. Respiratory therapy and
physical therapy programs graduate respiratory therapists and physical
therapists. If one completes the academic requirements for a degree in
exercise physiology they have earned the title "exercise physiologist".
The level of their degree makes no difference.
I will
concur that use of the title "exercise physiologist" needs to be consistently
applied based upon completion of an accredited academic major. In addition,
as professionals we must educate the public regarding our academic preparation.
Should we care that a full professor of biology challenges the use of the
title? Yes, we should care enough to educate him regarding the academic
preparation that allows us to use that title. Should we care that the American
College of Sports Medicine is defining our profession? Yes, we should care
enough to define our own profession through an organization dedicated only
to the profession of exercise physiology. Finally, we should care enough
to put an end to the pollution of our profession by the 200 or more tangent
organizations who profit from certification and titling because of our
lack of unity as exercise professionals.
My
call to exercise physiologists is to stop the quest for status in a title
and to develop status through our profession. Become an active professional
in the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) and continue your
participation in multidisciplinary associations. Support the development
of practice standards, the accreditation of academic programs, and the
certification of exercise physiologists. But refuse to let other
professions or organizations dictate our title and professional standards.
References
Keteyian,
Steven J. "Trained in a Discipline and Practicing as a Professional...Who
We Are, Revisited." Clinical Exercise Physiology. Human Kinetics.
1(2) 55-56, 1999
Copyright
©1997-2000 American Society of Exercise Physiologists. All Rights
Reserved.
ASEP
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