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Shifts Approaching for Health Information Professionals to Meet Healthcare Consumers' Growing Needs

CHICAGO – October 20, 2022 – The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) released today a white paper based on research and analysis examining the impact of the evolving needs of the modern healthcare consumer on the health information (HI) field.  

Leaders from health systems, insurers, health technology companies, health information exchanges, academic institutions, patient advocacy groups, and trade associations were interviewed for the paper, titled “A Watershed Moment: Recommendations and Insights for the Health Information Profession to Meet the Emerging Needs of the Modern Healthcare Consumers.”  

Those leaders anticipate a range of shifts to the HI field, which may require HI professionals to evolve their skills and roles. Shifts include the growing use of automation and artificial intelligence for many functions currently administered by health information professionals; the emergence of new healthcare companies focused on delivering an excellent consumer experience; and shifts in the healthcare regulatory environment.  

“Health information professionals must be prepared to leverage and embrace new technology to meet the demands of consumers,” said Keith Olenik, AHIMA chief member relations and service officer. “It is essential for the healthcare industry to harness the infinite amount of data being captured today. Health information professionals can turn this data into valuable information, empowering consumers to impact their health and wellbeing.” 

The white paper uncovered five core recommendations to ensure AHIMA, its members, and other HI professionals and stakeholders can support both the healthcare field and their organizations in meeting consumers’ expectations.  

  • Prepare the HI field for more analytical capabilities and roles. 
  • Prepare the profession for increased involvement in the governance and management of healthcare data. 
  • Develop strategies and resources that allow HI professionals and clinicians to improve the user experience of consumers—and address the social determinants of health. 
  • Increase HI participation in external advocacy and policy efforts. 
  • Prepare the HI field for the possibility of more direct interactions with patients in the future. 

The white paper was prepared by Kaufman Hall, a healthcare consulting firm, at the request of AHIMA.  

Editor’s note: Reporters can complete this short form to read the white paper or email ahimamedia@ahima.org for a copy.  

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About AHIMA

AHIMA is a global nonprofit association of health information (HI) professionals with more than 71,000 members and more than 100,000 credentials in the field. The AHIMA mission of empowering people to impact health® drives our members and credentialed HI professionals to ensure that health information is accurate, complete, and available to patients and providers. Our leaders work at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business and are found in data integrity and information privacy job functions worldwide.

Contact:
Erin Wendel-Ritter 
312.233.1091
erin.wendel-ritter@ahima.org

 

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