URI to host national authority on changing trends in health care

KINGSTON, R.I. -- January 5, 1999 -- Managed care will be among the topics discussed by a national expert on changing health care trends in a forum at the University of Rhode Island on Wednesday, Jan. 27 from 3 to 5 p.m.

The visit of Dr. Peter Buerhaus, director of the Harvard Nursing Research Institute and an assistant professor at the Harvard School of Health, is sponsored by URI's College of Nursing and the URI Honors and Visiting Scholars Committee. His talk, "Changes in the Health Care Industry, Trouble Ahead?", will be in Edwards Auditorium on the Kingston Campus.

Buerhaus' talk, which is free and open to the public, is part of a full schedule of events to honor URI's Janet I. Hirsch, who retired from her position as a professor of nursing last month.

Dayle Joseph, interim dean of the College of Nursing, said Buerhaus' lecture is a wonderful way to honor Hirsch, who is well known for her commitment to patient care and preparing her students for the demands of health care as the year 2000 approaches.

"The advent of managed care and its effect on all of us as consumers cannot be underestimated," Joseph said. "The health care industry has become meaner and leaner, leaving many of us who work in it dismayed, as the overall care of clients is suffering. Nursing in particular is facing major challenges, since our work force is 'graying' and our numbers are decreasing, in a time when we desperately need more, not fewer nurses."

Buerhaus will identify national employment and earning trends for nursing personnel in the major sectors of health care-hospitals, home health, nursing homes and physician offices-and will describe the effect of managed care on these areas.

"Faculty and students from nursing, psychology, pharmacy, physical therapy, exercise physiology and speech communication will find this program of particular interest," Joseph said. "We also invite those in the health professions outside the University, business leaders and concerned consumers."

"Clearly, Dr. Buerhaus' presentation has relevance to all of us as consumers of health care," Joseph said.

After the program, there will be a reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Atrium to honor Hirsch, who has been at URI since 1970. The cost for the reception is $10. A dinner in honor of Hirsch, of North Kingstown, will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Cost is $30. People interested in attending the events and/or in making contributions to the Janet Hirsch Endowment should call Betty Murray in the nursing college at 874-2766.

"This is not your normal retirement party," Joseph said. "Janet has given extensive service to the University and the College. This is our way of honoring her."

For more information: Dave Lavallee, 874-2116