AHIMA Launches Global Workforce Council

Seeks to improve training for health IT, HIM and informatics careers worldwide

Working to advance standards for health information management and technology workforce curricula around the world, AHIMA has founded the Global Health Workforce Council, which comprises members from 12 different countries.  Launched in partnership with the International Federation for Health Information Management Associations and other industry stakeholders, GHWC will be made up of 13 appointed members representing a dozen nations around the world.  AHIMA officials say its members will work to ensure curricula standards are internationally applicable, flexible and consistent, and provide a basis for the health IT and HIM professions to be recognized by governments, higher education leaders and employers in any country.

"The curricula standard will guide educational programming and workforce training, and contribute to an increase in the quality and number of highly trained professionals around the world with expertise in health information management, health informatics and health information technology," said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, in a press statement.  A draft of the workforce curricula will be distributed for comment later this year, officials say. Country-level workgroups will bring stakeholders together to review and provide feedback on the global curricula standards and competencies.

"The standard will be developed through an open and transparent process that seeks input and consensus from country-level workgroups and stakeholders," said AHIMA's Vice President of Education Visioning William Rudman, co-chair of the GHWC, in a statement.  "We are thrilled that the GHWC appointed members are leaders from around the globe with accomplishments, experience and influence in the fields of healthcare, education, governments and associations with HIM, technology and informatics expertise," he added...