ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS’ KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY AND CLINICAL CODING SYSTEM IN TERTIARY HOSPITALS, BAYELSA STATE

Author

DOGIYE LUCKY EBITEINYE, SAMUEL LYDIA IFIE, JACK-GBARABE BIOBELEMOYE

Abstract

 This study assessed the knowledge of medical terminology and clinical coding practice among Health Information Management professionals in tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study was guided by four objectives which focused on determining the level of medical terminology knowledge among HIM professionals, examining the quality of clinical coding practices, identifying challenges affecting coding activities, and establishing the relationship between medical terminology knowledge and coding quality. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 98 HIM professionals working in Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa and Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Findings revealed that HIM professionals possess a good level of knowledge of medical terminology, including understanding of disease names, clinical abbreviations, and medical documentation. The study also showed that the quality of clinical coding practices is generally good, with most respondents adhering to ICD coding guidelines and ensuring accuracy in coded health data. However, challenges such as inadequate clinical documentation, high workload, limited access to coding resources, and insufficient training were identified as factors affecting coding efficiency. The study further established a strong positive relationship between knowledge of medical terminology and the quality of clinical coding practices. It was concluded that improved knowledge of medical terminology significantly enhances coding accuracy and overall health information quality. The study recommends continuous training, improved documentation practices, and provision of adequate coding resources to strengthen clinical coding systems in healthcare facilities.

Keywords

Health Information Management Professionals, Knowledge, Medical Terminology, Clinical Coding System

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References

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