Care Communications, Inc. Launches Pilot Study on Leadership in Health Information Management

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Care Communications, Inc., a nationally recognized leader in the health information management (HIM) industry, today announced a new qualitative study which will analyze leadership in the U.S. HIM industry to better understand the changing role of HIM leaders. The research study, HIM Leadership through the Lenses of Bowen Theory and Complex Systems Leadership Theory, is funded in part by the Foundation of Research and Education (FORE) of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Care Communications, Inc.

“HIM professionals contribute to organizational success in many ways at healthcare organizations across the country. We expect to gain a better understanding of the roles, characteristics and activities of HIM leaders, as well as the role of HIM in the broader context of the organization,” said Patty Thierry Sheridan, MBA, RHIA and President of Care Communications. “This study will serve as a springboard for future research on HIM leadership and put in place a structure for ongoing research on the topic.”

The research findings of this pilot study will be applied to develop:

• Case studies that provide insights into the leadership behaviors and characteristics, roles, and activities of HIM leaders
• Quantitative and qualitative tools developed for use in future surveys
• An HIM leadership research agenda, mapping out plans for continued research in HIM leadership

Healthcare systems throughout the United States responded to the study’s request for participation. Nine healthcare systems have been selected for inclusion in the study which is being conducted October 2008 through January 2009. Two leadership frameworks will be used to examine data and provide various ways to think about leadership.

About Care Communications

Care Communications is a nationally recognized leader in Health Information Management (HIM) and has served the needs of leading healthcare organizations since 1976. Care Communications’ Systems-based Leadership and Change Management^TM approach offers healthcare organizations the industry’s most focused, effective and comprehensive suite of HIM services. From revenue enhancement and cost reduction to transformational consulting and change leadership, the nation’s most successful health care providers turn to Care Communications for help with their most challenging HIM issues. For more information, visit www.carecommunications.com.

About the American Health Information Management Association

The American Health Information Management Association is America’s leading professional society whose mission is to “improve healthcare by advancing best practices and standards for health information management and [serve as] the trusted source for education, research and professional credentialing.” AHIMA represents more than 52,000 specially educated HIM professionals who serve healthcare and the public by managing, analyzing and utilizing data vital for health system management.