Building on its series of reports and recommendations for improving the quality of healthcare, the Institute of Medicine, Washington, D.C., has released Health Professions Education, A Bridge to Quality. The report starts with the premise that healthcare professionals need more from their educators and accreditation, licensing, and certification organizations to be able to fulfill the five core competencies: provide patient-centered care; work in interdisciplinary teams; employ evidence-based practice, apply quality improvement, and use informatics. In addition, IOM said in a release, "There is insufficient assessment of [healthcare professionals’] ongoing proficiency."

The latest report, which follows IOM’s previously published To Err is Human and Crossing the Quality Chasm reports, includes 10 recommendations in the areas of common language and adoption of core competencies, training environments, research information, and providing leadership.

You can read or order the report by going to www.nap.edu/catelog/10681.html?ion_42903.