Awareness of clinical coding: A survey of junior hospital doctors

Abstract

Background: Clinical coding is an integral part of the NHS and is one of the main methods of gathering clinical data. Since the introduction of payment by results (PbR) in 2004 there has been an increasing emphasis on gathering good quality data to ensure hospitals are being remunerated accurately based on their workload. Method: We conducted a survey of 100 junior doctors looking at their knowledge and awareness of clinical coding. Results: Only 39% of doctors had attended a recent induction programme, and over half felt they knew little to nothing of the clinical coding system. A questionnaire of the coding system highlighted that neither the time since induction nor a self-assessment of knowledge made any difference to the questionnaire score. Conclusion: There is insufficient engagement of junior doctors with the clinical coding process and widespread attitude changes are needed to change this.