Weber State University   

HAS - Health Information Management

Results of Assessment

2000-2001 (submitted 10/15/01)

Overview: Our department (Health Administrative Services) has determined that the mean grade of a specific project, exam or assignment are not helpful data types to be collecting. So our measurement of these items has evolved into a more subjective focus rather than an objective one. The use of the exit survey is helpful in determining the format (full-semester, half-semester, or online) for our courses but not as a measure for learning outcomes. Because of this experience in trying to determine the best method for measure learning, we will begin to administer employer surveys for all degrees. We anticipate that this employer survey in conjunction with our graduate survey will provide us with the valuable feedback on our student learning outcomes that is desired.

Health Information Management

Data Types: Direct measures include mean and range scores on class projects, examination and case study analysis. Indirect measures include the employer survey, graduate survey and the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) National Certification examination.

Results/Changes: WSU did not graduate any student from this major in the academic year 1999-2000, therefore no student’s sat for the AHIMA National Certification examination. Employer surveys were distributed in the fall of 1999 and have been mailed out to employers but results have not been returned and tabulated. Some of the areas where the importance of the outcome and the competence as ranked by the employer in 1999 include data presentation, report generation, abstracting records for indices/databases/registries, release of information and management/supervision.

Application activities for release of information have been added to HIM 2000 Introduction to Health Information Systems, as well as an increase emphasis in the Professional Practice Experience. Two new computer information systems have been installed in the Health Information Laboratory. These programs will allow us to simulate "real-life" situations for our students in the areas of report generation, data presentation, and abstracting of patient information. However, it is the faculty’s opinion that students are having difficulty with transferring application of this process to answering questions on this topic.

Finally, the employer survey ranked the outcome importance greater than the graduates’ competence in the area of management and supervision. This area will be discussed further by the entire HAS department faculty. It requires a more in depth investigation as to what changes need to be made. The results of the 2001 AHIMA National Certification Examination, 2001 Employer Survey and Graduate Survey will also be utilized to determine if we really do have an area of concern here.

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