Assessing Progress On The Institute Of Medicine Report
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is a non-profit organization that provides advice and guidance on health policy issues to government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public. In 2010, the IOM released a report entitled "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health." The report aims to improve the quality of healthcare in the United States by transforming the nursing profession.
Background
The IOM report identifies several key issues in the nursing profession, including the need for more highly educated nurses, increased diversity in the nursing workforce, and improved collaboration among healthcare professionals. The report also recommends that nurses be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education and training, and that they be involved in healthcare policy decision-making.
The report has had a significant impact on the nursing profession and healthcare policy in the United States. Many nursing schools have increased their focus on advanced education, and several states have passed laws allowing nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training.
Progress Made So Far
Since the release of the IOM report, there has been significant progress in implementing its recommendations. For example, in 2013, the American Nurses Association (ANA) released a statement calling for all nurses to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 10 years of licensure. This recommendation was based on the IOM report's call for more highly educated nurses.
Several states have also passed laws allowing nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training. For example, in 2014, California passed a law allowing nurse practitioners to work independently without physician supervision. This law was based on the IOM report's recommendation that nurses be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education and training.
The nursing profession has also made progress in increasing diversity. The ANA has launched several initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in the nursing workforce, including the "Nurse Diversity Council" and the "Minority Fellowship Program."
Challenges Ahead
Despite the progress made so far, there are still several challenges ahead in implementing the IOM report's recommendations. One major challenge is the cost of advanced education for nurses. Many nurses cannot afford to obtain a BSN or other advanced degree, and may not have access to financial assistance.
Another challenge is resistance from other healthcare professionals to the idea of nurses practicing to the full extent of their education and training. Some physicians and other healthcare professionals may view this as encroachment on their territory, and may be reluctant to support such changes.
There is also a need for more research on the impact of the IOM report's recommendations. While there have been some studies on the impact of advanced education for nurses, more research is needed on the other recommendations, such as improving collaboration among healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
The IOM report has had a significant impact on the nursing profession and healthcare policy in the United States. There has been progress in implementing the report's recommendations, such as increasing the focus on advanced education and allowing nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training.
However, there are still challenges ahead, such as the cost of advanced education and resistance from other healthcare professionals. More research is also needed on the impact of the IOM report's recommendations.
Overall, the IOM report provides a roadmap for improving the quality of healthcare in the United States by transforming the nursing profession. It is important to continue to assess progress on the report's recommendations and work towards implementing them in order to improve healthcare for all Americans.