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IOM Releases Report

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December 13, 2011

Given the importance of allied health, particularly in light of health care reform, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) held a workshop May 9–10, 2011, to examine the current allied health care workforce and consider how it can contribute to improving health care access, quality, and effectiveness. Among other topics, speakers at the workshop examined the following questions:

  • What is allied health, and who is part of that workforce?
  • What workforce strategies could improve access to select allied health services?
  • How can policy makers, state and federal government, and allied health care providers improve the regulations and structure?

Allied Health Workforce and Services: Workshop Summary—A report summarizing the proceedings of this conference was released by the IOM December 8. This is a must read for anyone interested in learning about the challenges and opportunities envisioned for respiratory therapy and other allied health professions, new federal government initiatives to improve their workforce projections, successful strategies for getting high school students and those currently in the workforce interested in allied health careers, preparing students to participate in team-based care delivery and other topics critical to the future of respiratory care and other allied health professions.

Dr. Woody Kageler, Director Allied Health at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth TX, represented the AARC at this conference.