Assessing the Prevalence of Ahima-Identified Health Informatics and Information Management Careers and Related Skills: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study's objective was to identify the prevalence of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) career map jobs and determine which job categories, degrees, and skills are associated with higher pay. We extracted data from SimplyHired, a major employment website, from December 2018 to December 2019. We retrieved 12,688 career posts. We found differences in average salary by career category (p-value 0.00). Most jobs were in coding and revenue cycle (CRC) and information governance (IG) categories. The highest average salaries were in data analytics (DA) and informatics (IN). Each career category had a unique set of skills associated with the highest paying jobs. Eighty-two percent of CRC, 67 percent of IG, 65 percent of IN, and 83 percent of DA jobs listed in the AHIMA career map were present in the extracted dataset. These results can help employees, academics, and industry leaders understand the health informatics and information management (HIM) workforce landscape.

Health Information Management Reimagined: Assessing Current Professional Skills and Industry Demand.

This paper examines the changes affecting the health information management (HIM) professional skill set and industry demand to determine differences affecting practitioners. As the industry continues to experience technological innovation, the responsibilities of the HIM professional are in flux, affecting the required skill set of the changing environment. This research used the American Health Information Management Association salary survey and current job postings to determine whether the workforce has experienced deskilling and whether a theory-practice-gap exists. It also assesses if industry competencies align with the Health Information Management Reimaged perspectives. The results indicate that the workforce has not experienced deskilling, that a theory-practice gap does exist, and that Health Information Management Reimaged is aligned with industry needs.

Assessment of the Electronic Health Record Skills Needed for the Health Information Management Student.

Electronic health records (EHR) have continued to advance and improve patient care, treatment, and safety, but the education required for EHR use can vary. In preparing future health care professionals for the use of EHR, allied health programs such as health information management (HIM) should understand the current use of EHR skills of HIM professionals. This quantitative descriptive study identified the current use of EHR skills of HIM professionals within a region. An email containing a link to the electronic survey was sent to 350 HIM association members. The response rate was 34.6% (n=121). The results indicated higher use of federal and state regulations regarding privacy/security, problem solving and critical thinking skills for health information technology (HIT) systems, and data mining skills. But, there were some skillsets that had a lower use such as financial decision making, database design, and HIT software development. The findings suggest some specific EHR skills that are essential for HIM graduates. It is imperative that HIM programs have an understanding of what EHR skills are needed for their profession.

A beginner's guide to avoiding Protected Health Information (PHI) issues in clinical research - With how-to's in REDCap Data Management Software.

Protecting personally identifiable information is important in clinical research. The authors, two faculty members involved in developing and implementing research infrastructure for a medical school, observed challenges novice researchers encountered in recognizing, collecting, and managing Protected Health Information (PHI) for clinical research. However, we had difficulty finding resources that provide practical strategies for novice clinical researchers for this topic. Common issues for beginners were: 1. Recognition of PHI, e.g. lack of recognition of 'indirect' PHI, i.e., that the combination of two or more non-PHI data types or other specific information could result in identifiable data requiring protection; 2. Collection of PHI, e.g., proposed collection of data not necessary for fulfillment of the project's objectives or potential inadvertent collection of PHI in free text response items; and 3. Management of PHI, e.g., proposed use of coding systems that directly included PHI, or proposed data collection techniques, electronic data storage, or software with inadequate protections. From these observations, the authors provide the following in this paper: 1. A brief review of the elements of PHI, particularly 'indirect' PHI; 2. Sample data management plans for common project types relevant to novice clinical researchers to ensure planning for data security; 3. Basic techniques for avoiding issues related to the collection of PHI, securing and limiting access to collected PHI, and management of released PHI; and 4. Methods for implementing these techniques in the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) system, a commonly used and readily available research data management software system.

Propuestas de innovación para la gestión de información y el conocimiento en salud / Proposals for innovation in the health information and knowledge management

Introducción: El siglo xxi se caracteriza por un cambio de paradigma cuya relación social y tecnológica propicia una evolución de las ciencias administrativas. Este desarrollo social, convergencia tecnológica y los procesos de gestión de información y conocimiento influyen en la toma de decisiones en salud. Ello es objeto de atención, seguimiento y mejora en las organizaciones del Sistema Nacional de Salud. Objetivo: Proponer las innovaciones requeridas en la gestión de información y el conocimiento para la adecuada toma de decisiones en el sistema de salud cubano. Métodos: Se aplicaron métodos teóricos, herramientas y técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas para la obtención de información. Se realizaron entrevistas y consultas a expertos. Se diseñaron dos muestras para el estudio por encuesta en la dimensión de capital humano que involucró a gestores de información tanto empleados como empleadores y a los directivos. Se aplicaron técnicas de grupos focales, matriz DAFO y otras que permitieron el procesamiento y análisis de la información. Se tuvieron en cuenta los aspectos éticos correspondientes. Resultados: Se analizaron las tres dimensiones que intervienen en el proceso de gestión de información y conocimiento: estructura, capital humano y las tecnologías y herramientas asociadas. Conclusiones: Existen dificultades en las dimensiones analizadas que llevan a las propuestas de una estructura informacional reticular, estrategias para el perfeccionamiento del capital intelectual, revitalización del Programa de Informatización, desarrollo de aplicaciones en red que garanticen el Sistema de Información de Salud que faciliten el entorno personal de dirección y aprendizaje para el directivo(AU)

Introduction: The new century is characterized by a change of paradigm whose social and technological relationship prompted the development of administration sciences. The social development, the technological convergence and the information and knowledge management processes have an impact on the decision-making in the field of health care. The present situation of the information and knowledge management is the object of attention, follow-up and improvement in the national health care system organizations. Objective: To make proposals of the required innovations for adequate decision-making in the Cuban health care system Methods: Theoretical methods, tools, and qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to collect information along with interviews and expert consultations. Two samples were designed for the survey-based study in the dimension human capital involving information managers, employers, employees and managing staff. Focal group, SWOT matrix and other techniques were used, which allowed processing and analyzing the information. The respective ethical aspects were taken into account. Results: The three dimensions involved in the information and knowledge management process, that is, structure, human capital and associated tools and technologies were analyzed. Conclusions: There are difficulties in the analyzed dimensions that lead to suggest the application of a reticular information structure, some strategies for the upgrading of the intellectual capital, the revitalization of the informatization program, and development of network-based applications, which will assure the health information system and facilitate the personal managing environment and the managing staff´s learning(AU)

National Survey on Doctoral-Level Education in Health Information Management: Perceptions and Rationale.

Objective: The purpose of this survey was to understand the perceptions and educational goals of the health information management (HIM) workforce in regard to pursuing doctoral-level degrees. Method: Survey data were collected from members of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to gain further insight into their interest in pursuing a doctoral degree, their reasons for obtaining such a degree, their methods of learning, and their financial support for an advanced degree. Descriptive characteristics were collected from AHIMA profile information. Results: A total of 13,020 surveys were electronically sent to selected AHIMA members, of which 1,453 were returned, for an 11 percent response rate. Of the 651 respondents who indicated that they were interested in obtaining a doctoral-level degree, close to half would like to start their doctoral-level study in the next one to five years. Discussion: This research points to recommendations for efforts to increase student funding opportunities, to increase the number of accredited HIM schools/programs, to create opportunities for doctoral-level study in HIM, to offer options for blended online learning, and to increase the number of doctorally prepared and qualified HIM faculty.

The Self-Assessment Process and Impacts on the Health Information Management Program Performance: A Case Study.

This study examined how health information management (HIM) educational programs can use the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Model (MBNQAM) educational criteria to meet the self-assessment requirement for Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accreditation. An existing instrument, Quantum Performance Group's Organizational Assessment Survey authored by Dr. Mark Blazey, was used in this study. The instrument was designed to self-assess the entire organization. Results of the study demonstrate how the MBNQAM can be used to successfully self-assess HIM programs. This research adds to the body of literature surrounding the application of the MBNQAM for HIM programs and provides new information to deans, administrators, and educators that may be useful, as an added component, when self-assessing HIM programs. The results of this study will help to establish a foundation for HIM programs to strengthen the self-assessment process, providing a strong starting point for strategic planning prioritization for HIM program improvement initiatives. The improved process will help in maturing the HIM program while fulfilling accreditation requirements for self-assessment. As additional HIM programs formalize the self-assessment process, benchmarking opportunities with other HIM programs will be created.

Assessment of success on the RHIA certification examination: a comparison of baccalaureate program graduates and postbaccalaureate certificate program graduates.

The demand for registered health information administrators continues to outpace the available supply of credentialed graduates. One solution to address this shortfall has been the availability of postbaccalaureate certificate programs. A health information administration department at an academic health sciences center, which has historically offered a traditional bachelor of science degree in health information administration, has offered a postbaccalaureate certificate program in health information administration since 2001. As part of the program's ongoing quality review/performance improvement process, program faculty conducted an analysis to determine whether success on the registered health information administrator (RHIA) certification examination was the same, regardless of the program type or method of course delivery. Results of this analysis demonstrated that the postbaccalaureate certificate program is a viable alternative for producing successful health information administration graduates, increasing program enrollment, and increasing the number of RHIAs in the workforce. Health information administration programs may consider a postbaccalaureate certificate program as a way to increase the number of graduates and in turn increase the health information administration workforce.

The educational needs of health information managers in an electronic environment: what information technology and health informatics skills and knowledge are required?

The profile of health information managers (HIMs) employed within one metropolitan area health service in New South Wales (NSW) was identified, together with which information technology and health informatics knowledge and skills they possess, and which ones they require in their workplace. The subjects worked in a variety of roles: 26% were employed in the area's Information Systems Division developing and implementing point-of-care clinical systems. Health information managers perceived they needed further continuing and formal education in point-of-care clinical systems, decision support systems, the electronic health record, privacy and security, health data collections, and database applications.