Life behind the pages of HIM-Interchange // Naomi Johnson, Danica Jong, Carol Loggie, Nina Palibrk, Dwayne Richards, Stella Rowlands

Naomi Johnson, Danica Jong, Carol Loggie, Nina Palibrk, Dwayne Richards, Stella Rowlands

The HIM-Interchange Subcommittee The HIM-Interchange Subcommittee was formed in 2015, with the primary responsibility at that time being the co-opting of articles to fill the pages of HIM-Interchange. Today the role of co-opting articles remains a key responsibility of the members, however the scope has been extended to include the mentoring of authors and the end-to-end functions associated with the publication of the journal.

The subcommittee members are responsible for reviewing all articles for compliance with the editorial standards of HIM-Interchange. This process involves the review by the author’s mentor, followed by a second review by another member of the subcommittee, with the final review by the editor. Maintaining the professional standard of the health information management profession underpins this process that can sometimes involve a back and forth with the author. This process is undertaken respectfully recognising that the authors are frequently tapped on the shoulder to write for HIM-Interchange. In turn each article must be proof read. The process of liaising with the typesetter and development of the journal format is the responsibility of the editor. The editor is also responsible for the writing of the editorial that pulls the content of the issue together. Finally, the Health Information Management Association of Australia (HIMAA) office completes the printing of HIM-Interchange and the online publication.

In between getting the journal out, the subcommittee is considering the HIMAA members and ensuring that the journal has street appeal to ensure that HIMInterchange is read and not filed. In 2018 the artwork on the cover of HIM-Interchange was updated. Do you like the new cover? The subcommittee has also reviewed the HIM-Interchange webpages and have developed a proposal for HIM-Interchange to be online only.

The collective brains of the subcommittee members, and their individual professional network is the genesis of most articles. However, occasionally we are delighted to receive an out of the blue email from a HIMAA member indicating they would be interested in writing an article. It goes without saying that we never refuse a budding writer.

The HIM-Interchange Subcommittee are members of HIMAA who are committed to the advancement of the profession through the publication of HIMInterchange. Given the size of the profession it is truly amazing that we can produce not one but two journals. The Health Information Management Journal (HIMJ) is a peer-reviewed journal publishing primarily research within the field of health information management. HIM-Interchange is a journal for the people, that being you, we encourage you to support the health information management profession by reading HIM-Interchange, volunteering to write for HIM-Interchange, providing feedback and promoting HIM-Interchange and individual articles through your networks. Finally, there is really no limit to the number of members of the HIM-Interchange Subcommittee. The following are thoughts from the members of the subcommittee that we hope will inspire you to join the subcommittee or write an article.

Happy reading!

Why did you join the HIM-Interchange Subcommittee? “ The HIM-Interchange Subcommittee are members of HIMAA who are committed to the advancement of the profession through the publication of HIMInterchange.

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Dwayne Richards: As a member of the health information management profession a resource such as HIM-Interchange, where learnings and professional practise experiences can be shared, is highly valuable. I believe that it is important that Health Information Managers (HIMs) have somewhere to showcase the

work, experience and skills they are developing to the wider profession so that others may benefit, with readers potentially finding things they can add to their own toolsets as health information management professionals. Our roles in the health information management profession are highly varied and what better way to support communication and awareness on the different types of work being undertaken, and the different skillsets we have than through our professional practice journal. On a personal level, I was seeking to further develop my writing and editing skills and found joining the HIM-Interchange Subcommittee an excellent avenue to combine this goal while also supporting an important resource for HIMs in Australia.

Looking back, you were recruited to the HIM-Interchange Subcommittee as new graduates. How has being a member of the subcommittee contributed to your professional development? Danica Jong: When I was first approached to join the HIM-Interchange Subcommittee, I saw it as an opportunity to become more actively involved and a way to advocate for the health information management profession. Joining the subcommittee as a new graduate helped me feel better connected to the profession of which I was now newly a part. The subcommittee is made up of members across the country with a wide variety of roles and levels of experience and this has helped to develop my network of colleagues from all over Australia. As a member of the subcommittee, I act as a mentor for potential authors of articles for HIM-Interchange. Through this, I have further opportunities to make connections and help share the stories, perspectives and insights from the wonderful work of health information management professionals. I’m also able to learn about the many different hats a health information management professional can wear as we hear about how health information management professionals are able to provide their expertise in so many ways and in many different roles. Finally, I’ve been able to learn about the editing process, from approaching potential authors through to final publication and everything in between, which has helped to keep my written communication skills intact post-graduation. Nina Palibrk: Shortly after graduating from the health information management degree I was tapped on the shoulder by a HIM-Interchange Subcommittee member and asked if I would be interested in joining. I thought this would be a fantastic professional opportunity to broaden my exposure to the health information management profession and contribute to our profession’s literature. Being a member of the HIM-Interchange Subcommittee has allowed me to meet a range of health information management professionals from across Australia and learn about the many opportunities the profession offers.

The subcommittee allowed me opportunities to engage with and support those interested in writing for the journal, which has contributed to my professional development in leadership and mentoring. Through the mentoring program you support authors to communicate their experiences and ideas to the broader health information management community. Through this role I am continuously learning and developing skills in journal publication, article writing and proof reading and continuously learning from the experiences and knowledge of others. This allows me to be informed and up-to-date with what is trending in the health information management profession and the broader health industry.

As a HIM working in South Australia (SA), with most of the profession working in Eastern Australia, what motivated you to join the subcommittee? Do you feel that your membership of the subcommittee has or will contribute to the profile of the profession in SA? Naomi Johnson: I was motivated to join the HIMInterchange Subcommittee as I wanted SA to have a presence on the journal and in the greater HIMAA community, as the concentration of HIMs in the current environment is very focused on the eastern states. In having a South Australian representative, my hope is to encourage more active and equal participation in national health information management activities and and support people to find their voice regarding issues about which they are passionate. There is so much happening in SA that could provide opportunities for discussion or research. Opening discussions, contributing to research

and increasing engagement in the wider health community of SA would go a long way to raising the profile of the health information management profession.

What do you consider to be the greatest challenge associated for you as a member of the sub-committee? Carol Loggie: HIM-Interchange provides the opportunity for the profession to showcase the amazing work that is being accomplished in the very broad ranging and ever-changing world that is health information management. The major challenge as a member of the subcommittee is to encourage people to take up this opportunity and contribute an article for publication. As we all know, resources are tight, deadlines are ever looming, and we move on to the next big thing very quickly, but it is crucial that we take the time to share our experiences on a platform such as the HIM-Interchange, not only for the continuing development of the profession at large, but also for each of us as professionals navigating our way through such diverse and dynamic work environments. Naomi Johnson BSc HIM, Certificate of External and Internal Clinical Coding Auditing Clinical Coding Auditor/Educator; ACHA/ Healthscope SA Email: naomi.johnson.him@gmail.com Danica Jong BHlthInfoMgt Health Information Manager, West Moreton Health Email: Danica.Jong@health.qld.gov.au Carol Loggie AssocDip (MRA), GCertHlthServR&D Research Fellow, Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong Email: cloggie@uow.edu.au Nina Palibrk BHSc (HIM), BHSc (Nutrition), CHIA HIM Lead, Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital Email: Nina.Palibrk@health.qld.gov.au Dwayne Richards BSc (HIM), CHIM Project Lead – Electronic Records Management (Vitro), BreastScreen Victoria Branch Convenor, HIMAA Victorian Branch Committee Email: drichards@breastscreen.org.au

Stella Rowlands PhD Health Information Manager, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Email: Stella.Rowlands@health.qld.gov.au

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