Global Trends in Health Information and Records Management Education: A Basic Certificate/Diploma Program in the Philippines

Lourdes L. Palapal

Introduction

What's in this session for me, the participant?

This session can create awareness of developing countries' potential for market expansion.

1. Academic institutions can enhance their HIM curriculum if they compare notes with the ICE-HP of the DLSU-HSC on how the curriculum was developed; particularly what inputs were given by target beneficiaries of the program and/or the target users (hospital health information management units).
2. Research and development and/or manufacturing companies can find market for their products and services and enhance data for developing technologies for market expansion.
3. Health service institutions can access data for medical research.

A Case in Point

This particular case is the current program offering a certificate in Health Information Management (HIM). It is offered by the Health Care Governance (HCG) Unit of the Institute of Continuing Education in the Health Professions (ICE-HP) of the De La Salle University-Health Science Campus (DLSU-HSC). This campus is located at the Congressional Avenue, Dasmarinas, Cavite, 4114, Philippines. Guillerma A. Manigbas, MD, MHPEd is the current Acting Dean of the ICE-HP.   For further inquiries, please address e-mail to ice_gam@hsc.dlsu.edu.ph or gam625@yahoo.com.

Background of the ICE-HP

The Institute was established primarily to meet the growing needs of the DLSU-HSC community for advanced training in post-baccalaureate courses without leaving the place of work (in-house) and eventually, to cater to health professionals in Region IV and other institutions in and out of the Philippines that want to pursue graduate studies in their own specialties and interests in order to improve their competence and skills in healthcare delivery. It was approved by the Board of Trustees as the Institute of Graduate Studies (IGS) in September 2002 and was renamed the Institute of Continuing Education in the Health Professions (ICE-HP) in November 2003.

Components of the ICE-HP

The Institute of Continuing Education in Health Professions is made up of three units, with each one focusing on three distinct health service occupations:

• Health Professions Education (HPEd) Unit: This program aims to produce teachers who will be proficient, dynamic, innovative, and dedicated health professionals.
• Occupational Health Practice (OHP) Unit: This program aims to produce occupational health practitioners who can provide not only health services in the workplace but more importantly, a safe working environment for workers.
• Health Care Governance (HCG) Unit: This program, offering a Certificate in Health Information Management, is committed to lifting the standards of the medical record profession in the country.

To address the needs of our fellow practitioners in HIM who are now present, let us focus on the program aimed at improving professionals in this particular area.

The Certificate Course in HIM

Philosophy and Goals   

The Institute of Continuing Education in Health Professions is committed to elevating the standards of the medical record profession in the country. This shall be done through the development of practical and appropriate theoretical knowledge on medical record management for present practitioners. This program is also intended for interested individuals who, because of the pressure for globally competitive medical record professionals, shall be enticed to be part of the institution for their theoretical/educational foundation in the specialized field of medical record management.

Objectives   

Health Information Management is a program designed for local and global health record professionals, which aims to equip them to effectively perform the varied tasks required of well-rounded health information managers by:

• Identifying strategies for achieving health equity under different circumstances
• Applying the policies and procedures for an effective medical record management
• Actively participate in decision making for the improving the quality of healthcare delivery in their respective communities / institution.

Admission Requirements   

• Must be a graduate of any four-year baccalaureate program
• Hold a position in a company or institution involving medical records and other work involving management of health-related information
• Pass an interview with the program director or faculty panel
• Credentials: Transcript of Records (TOR); Letter of recommendation/certification from candidate's educational institution; Letter of intent; 2 x 2 picture; duly accomplished application form

Curriculum of the Certificate Course in Health Information Management

A Certificate in Health Information Management is awarded to students who have successfully passed Part 1 (HIM 101) and Part 2 (HIM 102), equivalent to 3 units each for a total of 6 units.

HIM 101: Introductory Course (3 units)

HIM 102: Completion Course (3 units)

Core Subjects in the Diploma Course in Health Information Management

A Diploma in Health Information Management is awarded to students who have successfully finished the Certificate Course and all the core courses (15 units). Passing a written comprehensive examination is a requirement.

Method of Instruction

Teaching and learning activities are centered on application of concepts and principles through simulated cases in the classroom setting as well as actual visits and management of issues and concerns identified by the participants from their workplace experiences. Supplemental lectures and handouts by content experts are provided as the need arises.

Post-course supervision of at least one month is an important part of the course to ensure that the participants will be able to apply the new knowledge and skills. Submission of a special project together with the passing of a written comprehensive examination is a requirement for the completion of the diploma course.

Schedule and Venue of Classes

Since the program is developmental in nature, the schedules are flexible and dependent on the demands and needs of the participants/enrollees. The venue is selected based on the area where a majority of participants choose to hold the activities. An average of 2 certificate courses per year are currently conducted, with the duration of 24-40 hours, depending on the module (Schedule A: 2 weekends; Schedule B: 5 days straight); minimum of 20 enrollees per module.

Advantages to Foreign Students

Quality. The De La Salle University education system is recognized globally for the quality of its teaching methods and systems such that it has produced many graduates who continue to improve the quality of life in communities where they are located.

Cost. The expenses cover a processing fee of PhP2,500.00 or approximately $45.00 (US), plus a tuition fee of PhP1,000.00 or approximately $18.00 (US) per unit. Thus, the estimate costs of the programs would be:

Certificate in HIM (6 Units) = PhP8,500.00 or $155.00 (US)
Diploma in HIM (15 Units) = PhP17,500.00 or $320.00 (US)

Quality work exposure. The wide variety of hospitals practicing health information management in the Philippines present a vast opportunity for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to build expertise in health information management. In the spirit of the world famous Filipino warmth and hospitality, foreign students would find that studying in the Philippines is really an integrated educational experience.

Within the education period, foreign students are expected to weave a quality network of contacts who can provide varied services either for their respective profession if not for personal needs as well.

M a b u h a y !