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Wisconsin Health Information Management Association

The Link -- Fall 2007

Jennifer Laughlin - President's Message (continues)

Issue Forum #2: Vision 2016: A Blueprint for Quality Education in HIM

  • The purpose of this forum was to discuss the key priorities of the blueprint:
    • Transforming HIM to a graduate level profession by 2016
    • Realign the HIM associate degree with workforce needs by 2016
    • Prepare an effective, qualified pool of HIM faculty by 2016.
  • Outcome:
    • AHIMA will further explore the details of these priorities, including how elevating the education requirements would impact the workforce.
    • AHIMA will explore other professions where they’ve moved to the master’s level.
    • AHIMA will develop a short term plan to begin moving on this sooner than 2016.
    • AHIMA will work with FORE to provide funding for additional education.
    • And many more…which can be found on the CoP.

Issue Forum #3:  Accreditation and Certification Governance

  • The purpose of this forum was to discuss ways to position the Council on Certification and CAHIIM to function effectively in the future state, governance and structural changes to these groups must be considered.
    • To consider steps to increase the value of CAHIIM accreditation through accountability by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
    • To begin discussions on the Master’s accreditation standards
    • To discuss ways to benefit from increased input of internal and external stakeholders on HIM higher education and workforce training.
  • Outcome:
    • CAHIIM Bylaws amendment for CHEA…it is important to be recognized by CHEA-it distinguishes us.
    • Council on Certification to move forward with this change also, after CAHIIM change.
    • AHIMA to communicate what this means to members
    • Master’s Degree- develop talking points for members to encourage input during public comment

Issue Forum #4: Certification Program Development- To increase the size of a trained HIM workforce and to engage new members at a professional level, the Council on Certification was seeking input on additional credentialing opportunities.

  • The purpose of this forum was to provide input to the Council on Certification on specialty certifications
    • Health Data Analytics
    • Additional credential topics
  • To review and discuss how a modified process for providing input could address this issue.

Outcome:

  • AHIMA to analyze the potential job market
  • Consider imposing a time limit to exam eligibility post-graduation
  • Educate members on the information gained in the Master’s job analysis
  • Broaden the eligibility criteria for RHIA.
  • Investigate the existence of similar credentials already in the marketplace.

 Issue Forum #5: HIM Global Trends

In 2007, the AHIMA Board contracted for research on the global trends in healthcare that would drive changes in the HIM profession in the US . Based on the findings, a task force was charged to describe future scenarios and construct a list of recommendation that would best position HIM and AHIMA in those potential futures.

  • The goals if this forum was to discuss key findings in HIM global trends
  • To provide input from the HOD to AHIMA’s expanded multinational strategy

Outcome:

  • It was felt that the biggest risk may not be to move forward
  • Need to understand the needs of other countries and learn from them
  • Need to create a way for international members to participate in the house and other workgroups.
  • Need to determine if an international organization would be part of AHIMA or a separate entity
  • Need to consider a possible name change of organization

Outcome of 3 Proposed Resolutions:  

  1. Proposed Resolution for e-HIM Professional Standards APPROVED
  2. Proposed Resolution for Quality Data and Documentation in the EHR APPROVED
  3. Proposed Resolution for 2016: A Vision for Education in HIM APPROVED, with one change…to move the first Whereas (The movement towards the master’s degree as the terminal degree for the HIM profession…), to the background and remove from the resolution.

Overall, the AHIMA National Convention was an amazing experience. Representing all of you in the House of Delegates, made it that much more enjoyable, educational and fulfilling! I encourage everyone to try to attend whenever possible!  

Respectfully Submitted by,

Jennifer Laughlin , MBA, RHIA

WHIMA President