CMA Responds to IOM Report on Future of Nursing

CMA President James Hinsdale, MD, issued the following statement on October 5, 2010, concerning an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on the future of nursing that calls for broadening nurses’ scope of practice and allowing them to take over some duties that are now performed by physicians:

“Every doctor will tell you that nurses are a vital member of the team of healthcare professionals that works closely together to give patients the best possible care. As a physician, I am very grateful for all the skill and assistance nurses provide and I appreciate the critical role they play.”

“California law requires a team approach in medicine in which doctors and nurses work together. We are proud of that collaboration and believe it creates the best environment for patients. The law also requires physicians to supervise nurses when they perform certain tasks, and that’s important to ensure patients receive high-quality care.”

“The bottom line is that nurses do not receive the same extensive training and education that doctors do and are not interchangeable substitutes for practicing physicians.”

“Healthcare reform offers many challenges, and we must decide the best way to meet those challenges without compromising the quality of care. CMA is a strong advocate of improving patients’ access to care and tackling the nation’s shortage of physicians through aggressive measures to boost medical school enrollment and provide loan forgiveness.”