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HIMAA International Special Interest Group: a community of practice empowering Health Information Managers with global voice // Suzette Dela Cruz Regalo
from HIM-Interchange
by HIMAA.org.au
HIMAA International Special Interest Group: a community of practice empowering Health Information Managers with global voice
Suzette Dela Cruz Regalo
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Communities of practice Since the recognition of communities of practice (CoP) as a key concept in knowledge creation, acquisition and resource sharing, they have become increasingly popular, with a growing number of healthcare organisations investing in them to manage knowledge and improve performance.
As a concept, CoP have featured in the academic discourse as early as the 1990s. The notion was developed by Lave and Wenger (1991 cited in Li et al. 2009a, p. 2), who defined CoP as ‘a group of people who decide to deepen their knowledge and expertise in an area by interacting on an ongoing basis’. As Bertone et al. (2013) indicated, this fundamental purpose of CoP has remained the same over time. They defined CoP as a group of like-minded individuals who interact regularly to deepen their knowledge on topics of collective interest (Bertone et al. 2013, p. 11).
Underpinning CoP is the idea that learning can take place through social relationships, in addition to traditional acquisition of knowledge through books or in a formal learning environment (Lave and Wenger 1991 cited in Li et al. 2009a, p. 2). Furthermore, these social relationships are characterised by mutual respect and trust. The interactions can occur in voluntary informal networks, conferences or work-supported formal training meetings, wherever people come together to share and exchange ideas (Li et al. 2009a, p. 1). Given CoP can take shape anywhere and in any form, they facilitate the sharing of both explicit and implicit knowledge.
There are many reasons that explain the increasing popularity of CoP. Woodgate et al. (2018) and Barnett et al. (2013), found that CoP help break down professional barriers by creating an environment for novices and experts to meet and interact on a regular basis in order to create and enhance their professional identities. Hoffman et al. (2011) suggested that because the informal nature of networks present many opportunities for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, they enhance connectedness and sense of belonging among members. Last, a growing number of healthcare organisations invest in CoP because they improve organisational culture and promotes individuals’ personal and professional growth (Li et al. 2009b, p. 1).
International Special Interest Group
The Health Information Management Association of Australia (HIMAA) International Special Interest Group (SIG) is an example of a CoP. The SIG is a constituent of the HIMAA National Board and is one of six special interest groups under the HIMAA umbrella. In the International SIG, members come together to celebrate and deepen their shared passion for contributing to the overall enhancement of the health information management profession, as well as in advancing the health information management profession in Australia and at an international level. Members collaborate, connect and engage with experts on health information related activities that are being undertaken internationally.
The SIG has members who come from different parts of Australia, and different parts of the world. There are Australian Health Information Managers (HIMs) who work overseas, and culturally diverse HIMs who call Australia home. The International SIG works in collaboration with similar organisations within the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific Region. More recently, the group has adopted a ‘transnational’ membership with the use of modern technology, welcoming members from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Page et al. (2019) advocate for
the use of technologies, such as videoconferencing, as it promotes attendance and involvement among members who could perceive distance as a barrier.
Activities of the International SIG The International SIG offers members with a wide range of activities that enable networking, informal mentoring, and the creation and sharing of knowledge. Activities include: • Sharing knowledge, personal and professional skills, expertise, experiences and lessons learned to other HIMAA members
• Providing a platform for regular interaction, as well as sharing of international news, events and activities through a website • Providing opportunities for members to meet, connect and interact with one another through regular quarterly teleconference and videoconference meetings; • Promoting HIMAA credentials and certifications
• In partnership with the National Board, promoting HIMAA’s role in the advancement of health information management in other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific regions • Supporting HIMAA’s contribution to International Federation of Health Information Management Associations and other international organisations as appropriate.
In summary, the HIMAA International SIG is a CoP that enhances the professional development of members, not only because it provides opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing, but because it also empowers HIMs with a global voice.
To those who are interested in joining this vibrant and exciting Special Interest Group (SIG), please email the SIG Convenor, Suzette Dela Cruz Regalo at suzette.delacruzregalo@dhhs.vic.gov.au or interhimsig@himaa.org.au. References
Barnett S, Sandra C, Bennett S, Iverson D and Bonney A (2013) Usefulness of a virtual community of practice and web 2.0 tools for general practice training: Experiences and expectations of general practitioner registrars and supervisors. Australian Journal of Primary Health 19(4): 292-296.
Bertone MP, Meessen B, Clarysse G, Hercot D, Kelly A, Kafando Y, Lange I, Pfaffmann J, Ridde V, Sieleunou I and Witter S (2013) Assessing communities of practice in health policy: A conceptual framework as a first step towards empirical research. Health Research Policy and Systems 11(39): 1-13.
Hoffmann T, Desha L and Verrall K (2011) Evaluating an online occupational therapy community of practice and its role in supporting occupational therapy practice. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 58(5): 337-345.
Li LC, Grimshaw JM, Nielsen C, Judd M, Coyte PC and Graham ID (2009a) Use of communities of practice in business and health care sectors: A systematic review. Implementation Science 4(27): 1-9.
Li LC, Grimshaw JM, Nielsen C, Judd M, Coyte PC and Graham ID (2009b) Evolution of Wenger’s concept of community of practice. Implementation Science 4(11): 1-8.
Page R, Hynes F and Reed J (2019) Distance is not a barrier: The use of videoconferencing to develop a community of practice. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education & Practice 14(4): 12-19.
Woodgate RL, Zurba M and Tennent P (2018) Advancing patient engagement: Youth and family participation in health research communities of practice. Research Involvement and Engagement 4(9): 1-6.
Suzette Dela Cruz Regalo RN, BSN, PgDip ICD, MHIM Principal Planning Officer, Health Sector Planning, Digital Health Department of Health and Human Services Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: +61 3 9096 2106 Email. suzette.delacruzregalo@dhhs.vic.gov.au
ISSUE DATE OF PUBLICATION Volume 10 Number 2, 2020 June-July Volume 10 Number 3, 2020 October-November Volume 11 Number 1, 2021 March-April
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Competencies
Generic professional skills Communication skills; Organisation and engagement; Information communication technology (ICT) literacy and knowledge management skills; Teamwork – within the work unit and as part of a multidisciplinary team; Problem-solving and decision-making; Lifelong learning; Ethical behaviour; Social and cultural awareness.
Health information and records management Health data and records; Healthcare information standards and governance
Language of medicine Medical science; Medical vocabularies
Healthcare terminologies and classification Code systems, clinical terminologies and classification such as ICD-10-AM, ACHI, DSM, SNOMED CT; Clinical coding; Casemix management and activity based funding methodologies
Research methods Healthcare statistics and research
Health services organisation and delivery Healthcare delivery systems; Quality and safety management and performance improvement management
Health information law and ethics Healthcare privacy, confidentiality, disclosure, legal and ethical practice
E-health Information and communication technologies; Data security; Health information systems and health informatics
Health information services organisation and management Human resource management; Business/operations management; Project management; Financial and resource management
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