Note from the Associate Editorial Director: Tell us your top concerns for 2018

by Melissa Varnavas

Every year, ACDIS asks its membership to provide feedback about the services it provides. We’ve received lots of praise over the years.

• “I am very pleased with the resources and the relevant information that is available, as well as the recognition that the CCDS credential affords me.”
• “ACDIS provides me with resources and insight with education on upcoming changes.”
• “Because I'm a lone CDS, I feel like I have somewhere to go for information.”

When asked why they felt it important to join ACDIS, members said:

• “Being in this position meant that I had professional responsibility to join!”
• “I was building a CDI program at our hospital in 2009 and ACDIS had the best resources to use for that.”
• “Because of trends and emphasis on quality outcomes, CDI has become the focus of improving physician documentation. This is where the action is being directed.”

But the annual membership survey (which opened this week) isn’t about congratulating ourselves on a job well-done. It’s about learning what we’re not doing well, what topics concern you most in the coming year. It’s about providing you with the tools you need to progress in your CDI career and the training you need to keep yourself and your teams invigorated and energized about the job you do. 

In last year’s membership survey, physician engagement and administrative support represented the top two concerns of ACDIS members. Staff retention, education, and training also topped the list. Focus areas such as the CDI role in improving quality and outpatient documentation came into play, too.

This feedback led us to launch the first-ever “ACDIS Symposium-Outpatient,” and publish the books First Steps in Outpatient CDI and The Essential Guide to Supporting Quality Care Measures Through Documentation Improvement. It led us to renew our focus on physician engagement and the publication of CDI Companion for Physician Advisors and an enhanced two-day, two-track pre-conference event at the annual convention. It led to articles on newly emerging job titles such CDI informaticist and CDI educator and the creation of topic-focused networking groups such as the pediatric and educator networks.

Some might say that 2017’s top problem areas will continue to plague CDI professionals until the end of time. (Visit our Facebook page for a recent exchange on this.) Others adhere to the adage that the only constant is change.

Tell us what you think. Tell us your 2018 top concerns and help shape your association for the coming year. As a thank you for your time, take the survey and we’ll enter you for a chance to win an ACDIS prize.

This is your association, tell us what you want from it.

Editor’s Note: Varnavas is the Associate Editorial Director for ACDIS. Contact her at mvarnavas@acdis.org.