The Metamorphosis to Healthcare Documentation Specialists
In the latest update from AHDI’s National Leadership Board, we announced a title change for medical transcriptionists as part of the revisions to our Model Curriculum, 5th edition. The Board saw this as a ground-breaking change and opportunity to recast the MT profession as a knowledge-based workforce. It has set the stage for a new movement to rebrand our profession to one that is seen as relevant and necessary to the healthcare process—a critical role in accurately documenting patient care.
It’s important to pause a moment to recognize the volunteer members of our Model Curriculum Task Force for their visionary leadership to drive this change. They crafted bold recommendations to update the Model Curriculum, including this title change and requiring instructors of healthcare documentation to hold a CMT credential. The National Leadership Board applauds them for their work and acting as change agents within AHDI.
Crucial conversations around the future and transformation of the profession are not simple or taken lightly. Careful and thoughtful deliberation drives the decision-making process. This post will cover how this decision was reached by our National Leadership Board and the rationale given the historic nature of this change. It’s important to acknowledge the overwhelming agreement that it was time to shed the title of medical transcriptionist for one that would deliver a renewed level of respect and understanding to our often under-recognized and under-appreciated profession.
At the center of the discussions has been the debate between the terms “clinical” and “health care.” Also discussed were the differences between “specialist,” “analyst,” and “technician.” As you might imagine, these conversations sparked many knowledgeable, thoughtful, and passionate responses. When the Task Force presented their recommendations to the Board in November 2011, they were unanimously approved as presented that day, which included the title of Clinical Documentation Specialist. The rationale for using the word “clinical” was presented as follows (excerpted from the written executive summary to the Board):
Following the approval, the Board continued their discussions on the title change and the implementation plans. And as difficult as it may be, they reopened the issue for further consideration as they took a close look at potential confusion between clinical documentation specialists and clinical documentation improvement specialists. The concern over potential confusion in the marketplace grew stronger as possible new acronyms for AHDI’s RMT and CMT credentials were brought into the discussion. A small group was established, comprised of Board and Task Force members, to reexamine the title, and we sought input from our strategic partner, the Clinical Documentation Industry Association.
The final results of the discussions clearly pointed to recommending the title healthcare documentation specialist. It aligns with the name of our organization and would not conflict with the credentials already established for clinical documentation improvement specialists (see ACDIS and AHIMA) when we look at potential changes to our RMT and CMT. Furthermore, the possibility of marketplace confusion could not be ignored; and “health care” and “clinical” have been used interchangeably in various settings without a clear distinction between the two.
The title change was brought back for formal reconsideration by the National Leadership Board this month. Following an open discussion, the title Healthcare Documentation Specialist was unanimously approved. Exciting times lie ahead of us as we start to spread the news of this historic change.
In the coming weeks and months, a full communication and transition plan will be developed and launched. We don’t have time to waste! A change of this scope will take time to fully implement, most likely spanning years, but every day we will take a step closer in pushing past the old stereotype that we are just typists to achieving recognition as a valued partner to the frontline clinical decision-making team.
Carpe Diem!
Sherry Doggett, AHDI President &
Linda Brady, CAE, Interim CEO
It’s important to pause a moment to recognize the volunteer members of our Model Curriculum Task Force for their visionary leadership to drive this change. They crafted bold recommendations to update the Model Curriculum, including this title change and requiring instructors of healthcare documentation to hold a CMT credential. The National Leadership Board applauds them for their work and acting as change agents within AHDI.
Crucial conversations around the future and transformation of the profession are not simple or taken lightly. Careful and thoughtful deliberation drives the decision-making process. This post will cover how this decision was reached by our National Leadership Board and the rationale given the historic nature of this change. It’s important to acknowledge the overwhelming agreement that it was time to shed the title of medical transcriptionist for one that would deliver a renewed level of respect and understanding to our often under-recognized and under-appreciated profession.
At the center of the discussions has been the debate between the terms “clinical” and “health care.” Also discussed were the differences between “specialist,” “analyst,” and “technician.” As you might imagine, these conversations sparked many knowledgeable, thoughtful, and passionate responses. When the Task Force presented their recommendations to the Board in November 2011, they were unanimously approved as presented that day, which included the title of Clinical Documentation Specialist. The rationale for using the word “clinical” was presented as follows (excerpted from the written executive summary to the Board):
"The phrase “medical transcription” has been replaced by “clinical documentation.” Where “medical transcriptionist” is referenced, we have changed the wording to “clinical documentation specialist.” From the introduction section of the curriculum, this is the explanation/rationale for this change: “The task force concluded that the expansion of medical transcription roles requires rebranding. A better fit is needed between job titles and roles. The evolving clinical documentation environment demands a new title: Clinical Documentation Specialist. This title includes medical transcription practice. All expanded roles must begin with the core knowledge and skill set of what we have always called medical transcription. The title Clinical Documentation Specialist encompasses individuals who build on the core knowledge and skills to follow varied career paths.
Many schools and programs are taking steps to enhance their approach to career preparation for students of clinical documentation. To some extent, then, the title Clinical Documentation Specialist recognizes not only new realities of the workplace but also evolving thinking among educators.
We have also noted that this change in terminology is consistent with the change in CDIA’s name to reflect that, even though we are not clinicians, the documentation we produce is indeed clinical documentation."
Many schools and programs are taking steps to enhance their approach to career preparation for students of clinical documentation. To some extent, then, the title Clinical Documentation Specialist recognizes not only new realities of the workplace but also evolving thinking among educators.
We have also noted that this change in terminology is consistent with the change in CDIA’s name to reflect that, even though we are not clinicians, the documentation we produce is indeed clinical documentation."
Following the approval, the Board continued their discussions on the title change and the implementation plans. And as difficult as it may be, they reopened the issue for further consideration as they took a close look at potential confusion between clinical documentation specialists and clinical documentation improvement specialists. The concern over potential confusion in the marketplace grew stronger as possible new acronyms for AHDI’s RMT and CMT credentials were brought into the discussion. A small group was established, comprised of Board and Task Force members, to reexamine the title, and we sought input from our strategic partner, the Clinical Documentation Industry Association.
The final results of the discussions clearly pointed to recommending the title healthcare documentation specialist. It aligns with the name of our organization and would not conflict with the credentials already established for clinical documentation improvement specialists (see ACDIS and AHIMA) when we look at potential changes to our RMT and CMT. Furthermore, the possibility of marketplace confusion could not be ignored; and “health care” and “clinical” have been used interchangeably in various settings without a clear distinction between the two.
The title change was brought back for formal reconsideration by the National Leadership Board this month. Following an open discussion, the title Healthcare Documentation Specialist was unanimously approved. Exciting times lie ahead of us as we start to spread the news of this historic change.
In the coming weeks and months, a full communication and transition plan will be developed and launched. We don’t have time to waste! A change of this scope will take time to fully implement, most likely spanning years, but every day we will take a step closer in pushing past the old stereotype that we are just typists to achieving recognition as a valued partner to the frontline clinical decision-making team.
Carpe Diem!
Sherry Doggett, AHDI President &
Linda Brady, CAE, Interim CEO
It will make very little difference until we can "re-brand" ourselves to the world outside our profession.
That is a key part of this, Crystal. Thanks for raising that point.
Until recently, I opposed the idea of a name change. However, with every document created being called "transcribed" whether it be by transcriptionist, voice recognition software, editor, scribe, physician, etc, on now on-board with a change. I like the new name mostly because the name Clinical Documentation Specialist would cause confusion and misinterpretation especially when applying or interviewing for a CDI job, given that most of these jobs require a nursing degree.
Ah, but that's part of the point. There is no reason for clinical documentation specialist positions to require a nursing degree. For many of these positions, it takes the skills of what was once called an MT, not a nurse. Remember, nurses speak their own language. They speak of clients and care plans. We, the formerly MTs, speak the language the physicians speak.
It matters less whether we're called Tom, Dick or Harry than that employers believe that Tom, Dick or Harry have the skills to do the job and that it really isn't necessary to hire a nurse or an RHIA or an RHIT to do it. Coupled with that is that employers do not come to believe that those skills are somehow worth less simply because Tom, Dick or Harry (all former MTs) possess them. Can AAMT, AHDI or whatever you want to be called next deliver on that? Really? Please provide relevant examples for the average line MT.
So what is the credential called? RCDS? CCDS? If the organization has changed to the new "description" then AHDI is going to have to spend MONEY to make all credentials reflect the new name. "I'm a CDI but I am certified as a MT!" Don't tell me "everyone will just know" what an CMT means.....
It doesn't matter what you call it, it still means a low paying job when you work for MTSOs because of sending work offshore. Until you do something for American workers, I will never support this organization.