Weber State University   

HAS - Health Information Management

Results of Assessment

2001-2002 (submitted 09/27/02)

Data Types

Direct measures include mean and range scores on class projects, examination and case study analysis.  However these measures do not provide the department with information that is helpful in determining student’s professional success.  Therefore, the following indirect measures:  Employer survey, graduate survey and the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) National Certification examination results will be used from now on for program evaluation.

Results/Changes

Two students graduated from the Health Information Management program in 2000-2001.  Both graduates sat for and passed the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) national certification examination.  It is important to note here that a third student shows on our AHIMA certification examination report, this student is a graduate of our Health Information Technology (AAS) degree with a Bachelors degree in Health Services Administration emphasis from Weber State University taking the Registered Health Information Administration certification examination under the current proviso offered by AHIMA.  But is not a graduate in the Health Information Management emphasis.  In 10 of 12 examination’s content areas the program’s graduates scored above the national mean, and in the remaining 2 areas the students scored within 4% of national mean.  It has been the program’s goal to stay within 90% of the national mean in all certification examination content areas.  The two areas in which the student’s scores were below the national mean are:  Clinical Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement, and Health Information Management Services.  It is difficult to determine if this is a curriculum problem and that changes need to be implemented from only two student’s performance.  So the program will monitor this closely with the results from 2001-2002 graduates and make curriculum changes as appropriate at that time.

Employer Surveys were mailed in the fall of 2001.  Several attempts to gain employer information on our graduates were made in the last year.  Both graduates were working for the same employer and this employer chose not to return survey information to the program.

In May, 2002, the Program’s Advisory Committee met to discuss the curriculum and program requirements.  Recommendations from this meeting for additions to the curriculum include: 

• Discussion of HIPPA policies and practices in reference to data and information security in HIM 4100.
• Presentation skills and practice to be added where appropriate throughout the curriculum.
• Expand research methodologies in HIM 3500 Biomedical Research Support.
• Discussion on Data Marts and Data Warehousing in HIM 3050.
• Discussion on the role of Data Steward on both security and access in HIM 4100.

The Program is in the process of adding this content to the existing courses during this academic year.

Graduate Surveys were mailed in late 2001.  No specific curriculum issues or program problems were identified by the graduates.  The mode scores were 4 and 5 in most program areas on 5-point scale with 5 being the highest score.  In the areas of content difficulty and appropriateness of expectations the graduates ranked the program with mode scores of three, neither to difficult nor to easy.  Program faculty were also ranked as friendly, professional, concerned, realistic, good and fair by the graduates. 

Outcomes to be assessed 2002-2003

Continued measurement of the competencies are required by AHIMA for the program to receive accreditation and will be again monitored next year. In addition, the employer and graduate surveys will be administered.

Mission Statement / Student Learning Outcomes / Curriculum Grid / Assessment Plan / Contact Person