The Coding Conundrum: A Workplace Perspective

Abstract

Over the last few decades clinical coding has grown in complexity and importance in the eyes of bureaucrats, administrators and clinicians, as new uses for this valuable resource are constantly being identified. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many Australian hospitals are currently experiencing difficulty in both recruiting and retaining clinical coders. The current shortage of clinical coders is a national problem, rather than being peculiar to any one state, and has a multitude of causes. This paper discusses a wide range of issues that have been identified as being relevant to this situation, and they are elaborated from a number of viewpoints, including that of health information management. In this article suggestions for changes that could help rectify this situation are made.