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Nurses are already defining it as “an epochal reform” and that is the launch of three clinical master’s degrees (after the compulsory three-year course to become a nurse) and the possibility for those who specialize to be able to make nursing-type prescriptions. That is, recipes for prescribing incontinence devices, dressing materials or ostomy devices starting with bags and catheters. These devices are linked to nursing care but today require a prescription signed by doctors. Who rise up saying they are “disconcerted” at not having been “asked” about this news: “The prescription presupposes a diagnosis and the diagnosis is the responsibility of the doctor”, explains Fnomceo.
The turning point of the three master’s degrees for nurses
He was the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci to announce in recent days the birth of the 3 areas of nursing specialization: in primary care and public health; in pediatric and neonatal care and in intensive and emergency care. The establishment of these areas of specialization, which will soon be incorporated into the revision of the degree class by the Mur, has the aim of offering more training opportunities and career opportunities to nurses in possession of a master’s degree. “We are working on an overall project that looks at the future of Italian healthcare and the crucial role that nurses hold today and will play in providing assistance in the area”, clarified Schillaci.
Doctors: “Prescription and diagnosis are up to us”
The reaction of the doctors was immediate: “We are disconcerted and regretful for not having been consulted as required by law”, explains the president of Fnomceo, the National Federation of Orders of Surgeons and Dentists, Filippo Anelli. “The prescription presupposes a diagnosis – explains Anelli – and the diagnosis is the responsibility of the doctor. A competence that the doctor does not arrogate to himself, but which is conferred on him by law, according to his course of study. The diagnosis is a complex medical act, which is based on a whole series of knowledge that involves the entire course of studies and is not limited to one or two university exams”. “We are waiting – concludes Anelli – to examine the provision, which we do not know: if the exclusive competences of the doctor were attributed to other professionals, we would be forced to evaluate the challenge”.
The nurses’ response: “The treatment path is optimized”
“We’re not asking for anything new. Today it happens that the nurse already asks for these devices from the doctor who prescribes them and therefore with this innovation the process of taking charge is optimized”, warns the president of the National Federation of Orders of Nursing Professions Barbara Mangiacavalli. Which underlines how “nurses do not intend to take the medical diagnosis into their own hands, which remains the exclusive responsibility of the doctor. But in the complexity of healthcare systems, nursing diagnosis has also existed for as long as the professional profile has existed. And on this type of diagnosis, after 30 years, nurses after a master’s degree will finally have the possibility to prescribe those devices and aids that are needed precisely for this nursing care”.
Sure! Here’s a humorous yet insightful take on the recent changes in Italy’s nursing system, channeling a blend of Jimmy Carr’s wit, Rowan Atkinson’s observational humor, Ricky Gervais’s sharpness, and Lee Evans’s energetic antics.
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Oh, Italian healthcare, you’ve done it again! Just when you thought the only thing nurses could prescribe was a stern talking-to for patients who keep asking for more gelato, we’re now seeing a proper revolution in the form of clinical master’s degrees! Yes, you heard it right—nurses are donning their caps and gowns, and they’re not just there for the graduation cake!
Introducing the New Masters in Nursing
In a move that’s got doctors shaking their heads faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest, Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci announced the birth of three new nursing specializations. We’re talking primary care, pediatric and neonatal care, and intensive and emergency care. Now, let’s be honest—these sound impressive, don’t they? Master’s degrees! Who would have thought nurses would soon be writing prescriptions? Next thing you know, they’ll be calling themselves “Dr. Nurse”.
“We’re working on an overall project to improve Italian healthcare,” Schillaci said. And while that sounds majestic, one can’t help but wonder: is this like saying you’re developing a new pasta that’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and still tastes like carbonara? You’d have to be a magician—or a nurse with a magical degree!
Doctors Sound the Alarm
And of course, with every new initiative comes a bit of a kerfuffle. The doctors are reportedly “disconcerted” (at least they’re not “discombobulated”—that would be a whole different issue). Fnomceo’s president, Filippo Anelli, insists that prescription and diagnosis belong to doctors. They say it’s a complex act that demands years of study. Which is fair enough—doctors have dedicated years to mastering their craft…presuming they didn’t sometimes take those ‘easy’ electives on ‘How to Diagnose Using Google’.
“We’re waiting to examine this new provision,” Anelli concluded ominously. Let’s hope it doesn’t take as long as the average patient waits in the ER—if you’re there longer than the cat video you were watching, it might be a sign!
The Nurses’ Take
Now, on the flip side, Barbara Mangiacavalli, the head of the nursing federation, is all sunshine and rainbows. She’s arguing that this change is designed to optimize the process. “We’re not asking for anything new,” she claims. They simply want the chance to prescribe certain devices without running to their nearest doctor for every little thing. Let’s face it, when it comes to a nurse asking for supplies, it’s more like “Excuse me, Doctor, can I have some stoma bags for my patients?” rather than “Hey, can I borrow your car?”
The reality is, nursing diagnoses have been around for ages. Just ask your favorite nurse. They can often tell if you’re faking an illness quicker than your mom could detect a lie when you said the dog ate your homework. With the proper training, they’ll soon be able to hand over prescriptions like they’re passing out candy on Halloween! “This will streamline care,” they say, as if getting a prescription will suddenly make things magically easier. I mean, you still have to deal with the pharmacy, and that’s like entering a black hole where time stands still.
The Bottom Line
So, what does this all mean for Italian healthcare? Well, it seems like it might just be the beginning of a fascinating tug-of-war between doctors and nurses in a new age of healthcare. Will it end in a dramatic showdown over who gets to write prescriptions, or will we see a harmonious collaboration where both roles are recognized for their substantial contributions to patient care?
Either way, grab your popcorn, folks! It looks like the Italian healthcare show has only just begun, and you won’t want to miss the next act, unless, of course, you’re a patient waiting for a prescription. In which case, you might be better off reading the menu at the emergency snack bar while you wait!
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Remember, laughter is the best medicine—right after the actual medicine. Thank you, and goodnight!
