The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the Canadian College of Health Information Management (the College), and the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership effective September 2020.
This proud partnership recognizes the increasing importance of Canada’s health information and will strengthen how health data is captured, curated and used. This will be done by better connecting the resources, frameworks and standards developed by CIHI with the certified professionals who manage Canadians’ health information.
Advancing data quality and standards across Canada
This partnership creates a bridge between data quality, national governance and privacy standards, and the College’s academic requirements for certified health information professionals. This will equip the profession to further enhance data quality across Canada. Furthermore, connecting the community of health information professionals ensures that the professional standards set by the College are informed by the health data, governance and privacy standards developed by CIHI.
We will continue to work closely to assess ICD-11 for implementation in Canada with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other Canadian and international collaborators.
Strengthening professional development and education
The partnership supports the provision of high-quality education and training for health information professionals across the country.
“This partnership reinforces that certified health information professionals are critical to managing the data that helps inform policy and the care that Canadians receive across the country,” adds Jeff Nesbitt, CEO of CHIMA and Registrar of the College. “These standards of practice for data collection, management and governance are based on industry needs, best practices and the rigorous standards and governance developed by CIHI, the College and CHIMA.”
Shared focus
“CIHI, the College and CHIMA have a common focus of ensuring the supply of high-quality health data and information to accelerate improvement in health care, health system performance and population health,” says David O’Toole, President and CEO, CIHI. “We look forward to the unique opportunities this partnership presents to enable innovation through education and training for health data professionals.”
About the Canadian College of Health Information Management
Incorporated in 1972, the Canadian College of Health Information Management (the College) is the national organization for certified health information professionals and specialists in Canada.
The College is a national, not-for-profit corporation that sets the accreditation standards for educational institutions and certification standards for health information professionals in Canada. It protects the public interest by governing and regulating the professional practice of more than 4,300 certified health information member registrants. In enhancing the status as a regulatory body, the College advances the professionalization of the health information industry and acknowledgement of its professionals as a key driver of policy, funding and the care that Canadians receive.
About the Canadian Health Information Management Association
The Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) is the national professional association for the health information industry in Canada.
Incorporated in 1946, CHIMA represents over 5,000 health information members from coast to coast to coast. It advocates for the health information profession, monitors industry trends and connects members with employment opportunities. The association also creates networking opportunities and facilitates continuing education for members.
Each member is associated with a provincial or territorial CHIMA chapter.
About the Canadian Institute for Health Information
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing essential health information to all Canadians.
CIHI works closely with federal, provincial and territorial partners and stakeholders throughout Canada to gather, package and disseminate information to inform policy, management, care and research, leading to better and more equitable health outcomes for all Canadians.
Health information has become one of society’s most valuable public goods. For 25 years, CIHI has set the pace on data privacy, security, accessibility and innovation to improve Canada’s health systems.
CIHI: Better data. Better decisions. Healthier Canadians.