White paper by Ace Salvador, Q2, 2023
Purpose: The purpose of this white paper is to identify resort locations that affords athletes to recover as well as Hollywood / wealthy victims of substance abuse that can rehabilitate and recover in the Caribbean.
Sport injury and fear of injury are important barriers to participation in sport, despite the health benefits of sports activities. The incidence, prevalence and type of sport injuries vary from male to female as well as between age groups. In general, the direct cost of an injury is determined by calculating the expense of using health-care services to avoid, diagnose, and treat injury and its complications. A 52-week prospective analysis in elite adolescent athletes by Rosen et al. found that the prevalence of 1-year injury rate was 91.6%. The overall rate of injury was 4.1 for every 1000 h of sport exposure, and on average 3 out of 10 (30.8%) elite teenage athletes reported injuries per week. A recent study by Polinder et al. estimated that the annual cost of sport injuries in patients visiting an emergency department in the Netherlands was 413 million euros every year.. There are 40 thousand football-related accidents in a year in Switzerland, which leads to a loss of 500 thousand working days. According to 2003 data from national insurance companies, the cost for the health system is about 19 million euros in the financial dimension. Sport injuries cause health-related costs in excess of $1 billion dollars worldwide. It is estimated that 3–5 million sports injuries occur in a year, according to data from the United Nations. Football clubs suffer significant losses from success-related and financial factors when players, for whom huge sums of money have been paid, get injured.
Source (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468744/)
Sports-related injuries increase healthcare cost burden, and in some instances have harmful long term physical and psychological implications. There is currently a lack of comprehensive data on temporal injury trends across professional North American sports. The purpose of this study was to compare temporal trends, according to incidence and time-loss injuries, by body part in professional baseball, basketball, football, and ice hockey. Public injury data from Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Football League, and National Hockey League from 2007 to December 2019 were extracted and used. A mean of 62.49 injuries per 100 players per season was recorded for all professional sports. The groin/hip/thigh reported the greatest season proportional injury incidence for baseball, football, and ice hockey, with the groin/hip/thigh as the third highest injury incidence in basketball. When stratifying by more specific body part groupings, the knee demonstrated the greatest injury proportional incidence for basketball, football, and ice hockey, with the knee as the third highest proportional injury incidence for baseball. There was an increased in
basketball ankle injuries following 2011–2012 season. Football and ice hockey reported the greatest concussion proportion incidence, with football demonstrating an increase in concussions over time, and a substantial increase in concussions from the 2014 to 2015 season. These publicly extracted data and findings can be used as a shared resource for professional baseball, basketball, football, and ice hockey for future individual and across sport collaborations concerning resource allocation and decision making in order to improve player health.
(Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/ s41598-021-87920-6#:~:text=Public%20injury%20data%20from%20Major,recorded%20 for%20all%20professional%20sports.)
Sports medicine is a significant and growing field in the Caribbean, catering to athletes of all levels, including wealthy and professional athletes. The Caribbean is home to a number of talented athletes, particularly in sports like track and field, cricket, soccer and baseball, especially in the Dominican Republic. The region’s warm climate and natural beauty also make it a popular destination for athletes from around the world to train, compete, and rehabilitate.
While sports medicine may not be as widely available or as advanced in the Caribbean as it is in some other parts of the world, there are reputable sports medicine facilities and professionals in the region who cater to the needs of elite and wealthy athletes. Some of these facilities provide advanced diagnostics, injury prevention, and rehabilitation services.
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in developing sports medicine infrastructure in the Caribbean, as the region recognizes the importance of sports and the need to support athletes’ health and well-being. This includes the establishment of sports medicine clinics, training programs for medical professionals, and partnerships with international sports organizations.
For wealthy athletes, the appeal of the Caribbean as a training and rehabilitation destination often extends beyond the availability of sports medicine services. The region’s luxury resorts, private villas, and high-quality amenities can provide an ideal environment for athletes to focus on their recovery and well-being.
Some more general statistics can provide an insight into the prevalence of injuries and the potential need for rehab among athletes:
- According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the overall injury incidence rate across 35 sports was 9.2 injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures (including training and competition). This rate varied considerably between different sports, with higher injury rates in contact sports like rugby and lower rates in non-contact sports like swimming.
- In the United States, the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study reported an overall injury rate of 2.2 injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures
during the 2019-2020 school year. The study also found that more than half of all
injuries required medical attention by a physician or athletic trainer.
3. The NCAA Injury Surveillance Program reported an overall injury rate of 4.0
injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures across 25 college sports during the 2014-2015 academic year. The injury rates varied widely by sport and type of exposure (practice vs. competition).
There are clinics, hospitals, and medical professionals who specialize in sports medicine, offering various services such as injury prevention, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and performance enhancement.
Some of the sports medicine facilities and professionals in the Dominican Republic include:
- Centro de Medicina Avanzada Dr. Abel González (CEMADOJA): Located in Santo Domingo, CEMADOJA is a well-known medical center that offers a range of services, including sports medicine. The center provides treatment for sports- related injuries, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services.
- CESPRO: The Centro Especializado en Salud y Prevención de Riesgos Ocupacionales (CESPRO) in Santo Domingo provides various services, including sports medicine, occupational health, and physical therapy.
- Instituto de Ortopedia y Especialidades: Located in Santo Domingo, this institute specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine, providing treatment for sports injuries, joint and bone conditions, and offering rehabilitation services.
- Individual sports medicine specialists: Many medical professionals in the Dominican Republic specialize in sports medicine, treating athletes and individuals with sports-related injuries. You can find sports medicine doctors affiliated with hospitals, clinics, or private practices.
More ideas for building more luxury rehab centers include:
- Private accommodations: High-end rehab centers often provide private rooms or suites with comfortable furnishings and amenities, creating a hotel-like experience for their clients.
- Personalized treatment plans: Luxury rehab facilities usually offer customized treatment plans that take into account each client’s unique needs, preferences, and background. These plans may include a combination of evidence-based therapies, holistic treatments, and complementary therapies.
- On-site amenities and services: Luxury rehab centers often have a wide range of on-site amenities and services, such as swimming pools, fitness centers, spas, and recreational facilities. Clients may also have access to services like massage therapy, personal training, and yoga classes.
- Gourmet meals: High-end rehab facilities often employ professional chefs to prepare nutritious and delicious meals, catering to individual dietary needs and preferences.
- Confidentiality and privacy: Luxury rehab centers prioritize client privacy and confidentiality, ensuring a discreet and supportive environment for recovery.
- Aftercare support: Many luxury rehab centers offer comprehensive aftercare support, including therapy, counseling, and access to alumni networks, to help clients maintain their recovery after leaving the facility.
Overall, the Dominican Republic can be considered a great place for sports medicine and rehabilitation for several reasons:
- Favorable climate: The Dominican Republic has a warm, tropical climate throughout the year, which can be beneficial for athletes recovering from injuries. Warm weather can help reduce stiffness and improve joint mobility, making it easier for athletes to engage in rehabilitation exercises.
- Natural beauty and attractions: The Dominican Republic is known for its beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. These features can create a relaxing and enjoyable environment for athletes during their rehabilitation process, promoting overall well-being and mental health.
- Growing sports culture: The Dominican Republic has a strong sports culture, particularly in baseball, where many players have gone on to have successful careers in Major League Baseball (MLB). This sports culture has led to increased investment in sports facilities, training centers, and sports medicine services.
- Increasing availability of sports medicine services: Over the years, the Dominican Republic has been developing its healthcare infrastructure, including sports medicine facilities. There are now several hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals who specialize in sports medicine, offering a range of services such as injury prevention, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and performance enhancement.
- Affordability: The cost of medical services in the Dominican Republic is often lower than in some other countries, particularly the United States. This can make sports medicine and rehabilitation services more accessible and affordable for both local and international athletes.
6. Proximity to the United States: The Dominican Republic’s close proximity to the United States makes it a convenient destination for American athletes seeking sports medicine and rehabilitation services. The ease of travel and similar time zones can be beneficial for athletes and their support teams.