The nemesis of allied health accreditation: the emperor needs new clothes.

Allied health programs need a new approach and direction to accreditation. The author proposes that individual program accreditation be abolished and accreditation of allied health programs, by regional bodies, become part of institutional accreditation. The allied health accreditation process would thus change from the traditional self-study to an outcome assessment with an emphasis on monitoring change and innovation. Data bases on allied health, established by regional accrediting agencies, would become part of a national data base, which would facilitate the assessment of manpower needs, the equitable distribution of manpower, and the establishment of new educational programs. The competencies and change strategies of the Pew Health Professions Commission are used to specify the outcomes of educating allied health practitioners for the year 2005.