Note from the Editorial Director: Membership data points to educational opportunities

by Melissa Varnavas

Like a good cup of tea, the ACDIS staff is steeped in the materials and educational offerings members have access to. And while we enjoy sipping away (with the occasional dunk of a croissant), we nevertheless understand that not all CDI professionals access the ACDIS materials in the same way. Not all members know what benefits are available to them or how to use them. At the same time, while we might be enjoying a nice oolong, you—our members—might actually prefer a calming chamomile with sweet honey.

So, every year, ACDIS offers the CDI community an opportunity to let us know their thoughts about membership and the materials, education, and resources the association provides. We delve into that data searching for opportunities to provide you with information you need, materials you can use.

One question we ask every year is “How long have you been an ACDIS member?”

Joining as new CDI professionals, ACDIS members renew their membership across their career continuum (89% said they will likely renew this year), with many (nearly 60%) paying for membership out of their own pockets. Why?

With 14 years’ involvement at the helm of ACDIS, I can honestly opine that the rationale has as much to do with those working in the CDI field as it does the materials and support ACDIS provides. This year’s respondents said they value and renew their membership because:

• “It is important being a part of a professional entity, the sharing of knowledge is extremely important.”
• “I want to expand my CDI knowledge for both inpatient and outpatient settings.”
• “I love the work, and this is an amazing organization.”

The only slight dip in the length of ACDIS membership comes from the “since ACDIS started” category. It’s not that surprising, considering at the time of ACDIS’ origins in 2007, many of those getting started in CDI had already served in advanced nursing careers either at the bedside or within departments such as quality, case management, or HIM. Therefore, many CDI professionals who joined during those early years have happily retired at this point.

Anecdotally, the Association’s long-term sustained growth came as people (10-15 years ago) got their start in CDI alongside ACDIS. As those individuals learned and grew, they became department directors and administrators in their own rights. They, in turn, advocated for ACDIS membership for their teams, and helped to promote the ACDIS Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) credential. ACDIS’ ongoing sustenance of CDI professionals’ growth deepens our connection with you on both a personal and professional level. It’s one of the reasons, ACDIS launched the “Leadership Council,” a few years ago, to continue providing networking and education for those at the advanced stages of their careers.

The other slight dip came from those new to ACDIS having joined within the past year. As evidenced both in ACDIS’ 2021 CDI Salary Survey and the 2021 CDI Week Industry Survey, many CDI programs plan to hire new staff and expand their programs in 2022, which means additional opportunities for ACDIS to provide information regarding record review basics, program and productivity metrics, and training. Such topics, have already been the focus of our Jan./Feb. edition of the CDI Journal, “Rewinding in the New Year: CDI Back to Basics,” and the March/April edition “Educational Winter Games.”

When I say that the ACDIS team is steeped in the offerings it provides, I mean to say that our daily work with, and for, you allows us the breath and depth to delve into data your responses to our surveys provide. We then work with you—our members as well as our board and committee volunteers—to parse their data into actionable information for our growth and yours.

Throughout the coming year, we’ll return to our membership survey again and again to realign our actions, research, and priorities to your thoughts and needs. So, if chamomile isn’t your cup of tea, be sure to participate in any of our ongoing surveys, polls, and outreach to let us know. Maybe you’d like a nice cup of coffee instead? Be sure to let us know. We’re here to support you and help you, and the CDI profession continue to grow.

Editor’s Note: Varnavas is the Editorial Director for ACDIS and works closely with our volunteer event planning committee and ACDIS staff on a wide-range of educational and networking events. Contact her at acdis-inquiries@simplifycompliance.com.