by
Astrid Fiano, DOTmed News Writer | October 07, 2010
The IOM report also emphasizes education, stating that nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression. A greater number of nurses should enter the workforce with a baccalaureate degree or progress to the degree early in their career. Nursing education should include opportunities for seamless transition to higher degree programs as well, said the report.
In its response, the AMA said physicians have far more expertise, education and experience than nurses, and are thus more equipped to deliver clinical care.
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“Nurses are critical to the health care team, but there is no substitute for education and training. Physicians have seven or more years of postgraduate education and more than 10,000 hours of clinical experience. Most nurse practitioners have just two-to-three years of postgraduate education and less clinical experience than is obtained in the first year of a three year medical residency," said AMA's Patchin. "These additional years of physician education and training are vital to optimal patient care, especially in the event of a complication or medical emergency, and patients agree."
In the nearly 600-page report, IOM also calls for better data collection and an improved information infrastructure. At present, data is lacking on the numbers and types of health professionals currently employed, where they are employed and in what roles and what types of activities they perform. This data is needed for strategic health care workforce planning, the report said.
One development on the horizon directly from the report is an ad hoc committee to examine the capacity of the nursing workforce to meet the demands of the health system in light of reform. This committee will develop national recommendations on delivery of nursing services in the current shortage environment, and capacity of nursing education.
The IOM is an entity of the National Academy of Sciences, which advises the federal government on scientific and technical matters.
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