Coder perspectives on physician-related barriers to producing high-quality administrative data: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Professional coding specialists ("coders") are experts at translating patient chart information into alphanumerical codes, which are then widely used in research and health policy decision-making. Coders rely solely on documentation by health care providers to complete this task. We aimed to explore physician-related barriers to coding that results in high-quality administrative data.

Methods

In a qualitative study conducted from December 2015 to March 2016, we recruited 28 coders who worked in health care facilities in Alberta using purposive and snowball sampling. Semistructured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed. The interviews delved into coder training, work environment, documentation and coding standards. Thematic content analysis of t

SUBMITTER: Tang KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5621953 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature