Institute of Medicine (IOM)
The Institute of Medicine (IOM), established in 1970 as part of the National Academy of Sciences, serves as a critical resource for unbiased and evidence-based information regarding health and healthcare management. Its primary mission is to assist a diverse audience, including professionals, government officials, and the general public, in making informed health decisions. The IOM conducts extensive research studies, often initiated by Congressional mandates or requests from federal agencies, focusing on a wide array of health-related topics, such as environmental medicine, vaccination, and public health.
One of the IOM's key strengths is its independence from government influence, allowing it to report findings that may be controversial yet essential for public discourse. The organization not only advises Congress on significant health issues but also publishes accessible reports and holds annual meetings to discuss current health topics. Membership in the IOM is highly prestigious and voluntary, with members selected based on their expertise and recognized achievements across various fields. Through a rigorous study process that emphasizes diversity of perspective and scientific consensus, the IOM aims to provide balanced and accurate insights to promote improvements in healthcare policies and practices at individual and global levels.
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Institute of Medicine (IOM)
Organization
Definition: A nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that provides advice on science, medicine, and well-being to improve health in the United States.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) was developed in 1970 as a branch of the National Academy of Sciences. The primary goal of the IOM is to provide unbiased, accurate, and authoritative information to aid professionals, government officials, and the general public in making accurate, well informed decisions related to their health, well-being, and health care management. The information provided by the IOM is evidence-based, meaning that it is rooted in current research.
The Institute of Medicine conducts many research studies every year. These research projects often begin as Congressional mandates or are called for by federal agencies, independent organizations, or the IOM itself. The IOM's lack of governmental affiliation allows it to report straightforward and sometimes controversial results while remaining unbiased advisers to professionals, political leaders, and government officials.
Study topics are always health-related with focuses on the impact of environmental medicine and lifestyle on the health of the general population or specific groups as well as the delivery of healthcare. They include a broad range of subtopics surrounding issues such as vaccination, infectious disease, nutrition and obesity, public health, occupational hazards, and environmental dangers. The goal of these studies is often to provide the hard evidence needed to promote change or improvement in current government health care policies and practices in order to promote individual, national, and global health. The Institute of Medicine frequently advises Congress on various health topics of immense importance in addition to releasing reports of their findings that are accessible to the general public as well as medical providers and professionals.
The Institute of Medicine holds a yearly meeting at which the current president of the IOM gives an address on current, important health issues. This meeting is also published in a formal report with supplemental, pertinent information yearly. In addition, every two years the IOM releases a publication titled Informing the Future, which provides information about the Institute's recent work, how to access it, and the role they play in healthcare delivery and policy.
The IOM follows the strict set of rules of the National Academies for membership and the study process to ensure it presents an impartial, scientific, and expert viewpoint. Every year the organization admits up to seventy new members, as well as ten associates from outside the United States, who must be elected based on their demonstrated achievements and recognized excellence in their field. Experts are chosen from health care and natural science fields as well as applicable related professions such as social sciences, law, engineering, and the humanities. Membership is voluntary and without compensation, but is a highly honorific position and establishes a recipient as at the top of their area of expertise.
Each study is conducted by a committee of members selected to provide the required knowledge without presenting conflicts of interest. In addition to expertise, an effort is made to select committee members with a wide range of perspectives in order to provide as balanced an examination of the subject as possible; this includes bringing in experts from various fields who may never normally work together. The committee initially works with the study sponsor, whether the US government or another group, to set its goals and budget, but conducts its research separate of any influence. A scientific consensus is formed totally in private to prevent any group from swaying the findings. Once a report is prepared, it is reviewed by another fully independent group of experts, whose findings and comments are presented anonymously to the original committee and must be taken into account before publication. Sponsors may not suggest revisions or alterations after a report is made public.
Bibliography
"About the IOM." Institute of Medicine. Natl. Academy of Sciences, 2015. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
"Institute of Medicine: IOM Publications." Immunization Action Coalition. Immunization Action Coalition, 12 Jan. 2015. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
National Academy of Sciences. Natl. Academy of Sciences, 2015. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
"Reports Index." Institute of Medicine. Natl. Academy of Sciences, 2015. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
"Our Study Process." National Academies. Natl. Academies, 2015. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.