1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE PROGRAMME
The information ages is characterized by high demand of information services in terms of quick access, retrieval and uses both internationally and locally. In line the ministry of health already has establishment for health information officers, therefore the medical records is responding to that need of competent fitting cadres in the areas of health information management. This programme (BMRM) is designed to enable students to acquire knowledge and skills in Medical Record Science and information so that after completing the programme, the graduate will be able to apply their skills as competent qualified Health Record professionals. These regulations and the syllabus are subject to modification by the Standing Academic Board of the University from time to time.
1.1 Programme name:
The course shall be called “Bachelor of Medical Records and Management (BMRM) under the St. Lawrence University, faculty of Humanities. The course shall be of three years.
1.2 Duration and pattern of the course
The program for those admitted shall extend for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 academic years.
The academic year shall be divided into two semesters and making six semesters altogether.
1.3 Nature of the program
The Bachelor of Science medical record program will be a full time for the three years of the program.
1.4 Target Group
The program targets three categories of people. These are “A” level leavers and Diploma holders in relevant disciplines and mature entry.
1.5 Programme Description
The medical Record Departments / Services, in any model Health care facility, play a key role in the development and maintenance of good medical records that is complete, adequate, accurate and accessible in the support of quality care for In-patients, Out-patients (including emergency services). Such medical records are essentially required to render prompt help to patients and physicians in providing continuity of medical care; managing diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative and preventive measures. Medical records can also help in developing hospital and patient care data for purposes of health professional training and research programme.
Statistical data generated from the medical records will be utilized as an important tool by the health authorities of a country for the organization and management of any healthcare system with a view to cater for the needs of the population by providing preventive, curative and health promotion measures. Which will lead to the development of reliable and dependable health information system based on well-written medical records, statistical techniques for the analysis and compilation of data on morbidity and mortality data with understanding of medico-legal aspects of medical records as well as current statutory laws relating to healthcare field. This is obtained by organizing a suitable medical record educational programme, which could meet the requirement of well qualified Medical Record Professionals, particularly at the managerial level.
This program will also prepare graduates to be professionals who are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information system, and coding the diagnoses and procedures f or healthcare services provided to patients. The programme on medical Record Science is designed for this purpose with particular emphasis on achievement of the given objectives.
1.6 Programme Rationale
1.6.1 Justification
No Health Training institutions have been offering Medical Records Management training opportunities at a degree level. Medical Records training opportunities have been only training on certificates, Diploma and on-job and or partially modular training for four weeks in different training institution who are auxiliary.
The critical analysis of the situation indicated that there is much more significant specialty difference in the content coverage, competencies and objectives of field of medical records and health informatics. This curriculum has taken into account maximum specialization in medical records and health informatics in the implementation.
The demand for Medical Records and Health Informatics personnel continues to be high in health sector both in public, private or research centers. The emergence of health care facilities and services call for better trained cadre in Medical Records and Health informatics, who will cope with the challenges of medical records and health information management. This calls for support of this curriculum as it will produce this cadre of health workers. In the curriculum, the medical Science courses have been enriched in content and competencies and training approach has been improved.
Luckily, Salary structures by Public services in the Health Service Commission recognizes and stipulates job descriptions of medical records personnel and caters for their Salary Scales, from U7 up to U3. There are staffing positions in almost all the Public Health Sector facilities, from Health Centers II up to National Referral hospitals. This curriculum is the future of medical breakthrough in Uganda.
Furthermore, the curriculum allows both vertical and horizontal academic profession. It provided for the “O” / “A” level school / USE leavers as well as those with Diploma and basic certificate in Medical records to join a degree level in Medical Records and health information and job other related disciplines like ICT, Computer science etc. All this therefore required the need to develop this curriculum to produce Medical Records and health information professional in Uganda.
1.7 Programme Objectives
The objectives of this programme are to:
1) To evaluate classification and codification of drugs, diseases and their treatment, and in the organization of hospitals.
2) To acquire sufficient knowledge of the prevailing system of scientific documentation with computerization, information search and retrieval.
3) To acquire knowledge of the networking of hospitals and institutions by electronic and computer systems.
4) To get familiarity with large database dealing with various categories of entities such as diseases, pathological conditions, symptoms, drugs and concepts such as “data mining”.
5) To acquire knowledge of the current trends in Medical Record Science like Health Insurance and third party payers.
6) To integrate advanced knowledge and skills in health care data.
7) Apply effective communication skills and strategies in interactions with multidisciplinary and multi-facility professional.
1.8 Programme learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Medical Record Science (BMRSc) degree requirements, a graduate will be able to:
1) Verify, analyze and validate the accuracy and completeness of medical / health care data.
2) Abstract, interpret and present medical / health care data maintained and inventory and information source locally and internally in paper-based and computer-based records system.
3) Develop, implement and manage health information policies and procedures to ensure compliance with State / National health institution accreditation agency requirement.
4) Evaluate, implement and manage both paper-based and computer-based health information systems.
5) Should organize and manage the health information system for institution and competent and confidentiality participate as a resource.