AHIMA Core Model
THE CORE MODEL identifies the roles of the HIM profession through the next decade. At the center is information governance
and stewardship; within this are more specific functions and their impact on aspects of healthcare. Education is the base of the
model, acting as a driver along with research, policy, and data standards.
tant that academic programs prepare students for the future of
healthcare and not become reactive to what has happened in
the past.
AHIMA Core Model
In 2011 AHIMA brought together HIM experts to identify the
roles, settings, and impact of the profession through the next
decade. The group extended and advanced a draft core model
of HIM functions into a description of the desired future state
of HIM roles as they will be performed across the healthcare in-
dustry. The primary objectives were to:
x Articulate desired HIM professional roles across industry
settings in order to:
x Identify and specify the future scope of HIM practice
functions and roles
x Identify and specify the value of such roles to society,
the health industry, current and future employers of
HIM professionals, and current and future HIM pro-
fessionals
x Differentiate HIM from other related disciplines
x Provide a professional scope of practice that clarifies the
role of AHIMA in serving the industry
x Enable follow-on work (phases)
From this work, a general core model was developed, shown
in the figure above. In this model the primary role of the HIM
professional is focused on the governance and stewardship of
health information. The roles to be expressed within the model
are determined by four drivers: education, research, policy, and
standards. The base of the model is education. This article ex-
amines the educational response to the core model. Future ar-
ticles will focus on the impact of the other drivers.
Education’s Response to the Core Model
As a profession, HIM is at a tipping point where it has the ability
to control its future and to grow. In order to prosper, the educational curricula must change to address the rapid growth within
healthcare.
AHIMA is well positioned to take on these opportunities in
information management at all levels within the healthcare system. In response to the evolving role of the HIM professional,
the AHIMA Council for Excellence in Education (CEE) is proposing new educational initiatives to address both those entering the field as well as those already in the HIM workforce.
Moreover, the initiatives address both entry-level and senior
leadership positions.
As shown in “HIM Core Model Components” on page 37,
the primary role of information governance and stewardship
will depend on the profession’s ability to capture and document data; analyze data in a meaningful way for both quality
improvement and research; and then implement and control
both the content and use of data within the organization. To
fulfill these roles, HIM professionals must have a wide breadth
of educational experience at various levels within the academic
landscape.
