AHDI Meeting Wrap Up
It is often good to attend meetings, and yet I must say there’s nothing like coming home. As you have seen from the many comments, this year’s AHDI meeting was packed with change for the future, and that theme continued even after the House of Delegates.
What’s Next
The changes passed in this year’s House of Delegates are the beginning of major change in what our association looks like. The steering committee has been formed and now their work begins. The plan is that next year’s meeting will be the last meeting of the HOD as we know it. We will then have a 13-member “leadership board,” a term that will rename the current Board of Directors. The delegates passed a motion to extend all of their terms and that of the Speaker through next year’s meeting in order to keep consistency through the change process. In my opinion, this really did not follow our bylaws, which are the governing documents of the association. In my own discussion with the speaker, she does not agree and believes it is easily explainable. In times of great change, consistency can really help provide some stability in the storm. At the same time, it does not allow for anyone outside of the group who wants change to really be involved first hand. Having the steering committee meetings open to everyone may help with this process. The challenge will be time. The six district leaders will need to be elected in the December elections so bylaws will have to be passed soon to actually establish those districts. It is an ambitious plan at best.
Agreeing to Disagree
This is just something I don’t think we have ever learned to do well. I wanted to address this here to be clear for this blog. It was suggested to me at the meeting that by posting on the meeting and then allowing some negative comments, I was simply “stirring things up.” So let me address that. We will never all agree. I do not moderate your comments here because I believe every individual opinion is valid and we can learn from each other. It isn’t about agreement; it IS about an exchange of ideas. This site isn’t an AHDI website and I do not represent the association. I am simply a dues-paying member who thinks MTs should be discussing our profession more than we sometimes do. And it’s not just about discussing AHDI, it is about our profession. Some of you are members of AHDI, some are not. It doesn’t matter here, we value everyone’s input.
Let me also really be clear. Not all AHDI leaders shut out those with dissenting opinions. Some are quite open to listening. Still, sadly, I saw some who wouldn’t even speak to those who disagreed. When that starts with leadership, it sets an unfortunate tone in an organization. I hope those in leadership who don’t operate this way will continue to be open to hearing from everyone. It is, in my opinion, the only way an organization can remain relevant to its membership.
A Message About the Future
There was a clear message about the future at this meeting, and it is one of significant change. With the things happening in the healthcare industry, MTs must learn all they can and be able to articulate their value to the process. It starts with education so that we have an understanding of how to move forward.
Changes in Credentialing
The credentialing exams will be changing in 2011. I think this could be pretty exciting. The new exam will actually be combined so that you can do RMT and CMT together. Part 1 will be the RMT; pass this and you can, if you choose, go on and take the CMT portion. It’s not required, but it’s possible. The division will make some clear distinction in the two credentials. If you already have the RMT, I understand you can take part 2 only for the CMT. If you want to take the CMT exam and don’t have a credential, you will be required to take both parts. One thing that is exciting about this is the new testing will be able to be done at a testing center or at home! It will be webcam proctored. I think this is a big step in the right direction and will be a real help for people who now have to travel great distances to get to a testing facility.
Education and CECs
As you know, there have been changes in what is now credit-worthy. Because I met several people at AHDI who were interested in what we are doing here with upcoming educational sessions, I am extending the special pricing for the membership option through August 15. Don’t put this off so you can save some money! Our first workshops will be one by Gary David from Bentley College and an upcoming technology webinar! I hope you join us!
And now, back to you! Your thoughts?
Related posts:
- AHDI Meeting: House of Delegates, Day One
- Countdown to AHDI Meeting
- AHDI Meeting Update
- New AHDI Medical Transcription Credentialing Exams
- AHDI Meeting is This Week
Tagged with: Certified Medical Transcriptionist • CMT • Credentialing • industry updates • medical transcription technology • Registered Medical Transcriptionist • RMT
Filed under: Industry Updates
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This industry is lucky to have you and people like you, Kathy. Thanks for your input this week. I haven’t been a member for many years now, but I really enjoyed reading your updates. I hope they figure some things out and become relevant to more MTs, but I have my doubts as to whether this will ever occur.
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Kathy Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Thanks, Margie, and good to see you posting here. It’s a two-edged challenge, isn’t it? Keep the MT relevant in health care and keep AHDI relevant to the MTs.
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So…if I am understanding you correctly, I have until the end of December 2010 to take and pass my CMT exam OR I will have to find RMT study materials and pass that exam FIRST? I definitely am feeling like I’m putting more INTO this profession than I am getting out of it–especially lately!
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Kathy Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Sherry, what it means is that the RMT exam will test core knowledge and the CMT portion will test advanced knowledge. If someone doesn’t have a credential yet, the testing of core knowledge has to come first or the credential wouldn’t be as valid. I plan to stay on top of what it means so we can be sure our study groups are relevant to the changes.
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Kathy,
Thanks so much for your reports on the conference. I am extremely upset to hear, though, that someone at the meeting was brazen and rude enough to tell you that you were “stirring things up” by reporting on the meeting and allowing both positive and negative comments. This is a forum for idea and information exchange…and that includes positive **and** negative feedback!! It also bothers me tremendously that this AHDI member apparently does not believe in a fair exchange of opinions and thoughts. It’s sad that some people are so close-minded……
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Kathy Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Thanks, Sue. It really is about exchanging information. I understand the pressure of leaders to push an agenda, however, stand firm in my belief that input should be all inclusive. Sadly that’s not always the case. I have tough skin over the years so it really makes me more sad than upset. Still it isn’t everyone in leadership so we do have to keep that in mind.
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Kathy Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
And just today on Seth Godin’s blog comes this timely tidbit: http://bit.ly/dokeAz
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Kathy,
Thanks for keeping us informed on all that is going on. Do you know when in 2011 someone would be able to take the RMT/CMT exam together and from home?
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Kathy Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
There wasn’t an actual date announced, however, they will be doing beta testing this fall and I think the aim is to have it done in the first part of the year.
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So, by, default you, Kathy, are sort of becoming the go-to person for us, members and nonmembers alike, to come to for information about our own organization and other industry goings-on because we less and less have that option through our organization. They have done away with their own message forum so unless you are lucky enough to have an active local chapter or are “accepted as a nice enough person” (and I do mean that literally having been told that maybe once or twice before) to be allowed access to one of their private listservs you are just tough out of luck when it comes to asking even simple questions … of course there is always the old standby email … and keep your fingers crossed that you get answered in any sort of helpful way in a reasonable amount of time.
For me that says something really sad about the organization’s communication capabilities (or maybe Mike really hit the bull’s eye when he said over on Julie’s blog, those “paper” memberships are best ’cause they don’t ask nasty uncomfortable questions) … but more than anything it darn sure says a whole lot about the kind person you are and just how much working MTs have come to depend on your understanding and honesty
See there … I can too be nice
Nae
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Kathy Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
First, Nae, thank you for the kind words. There’s no hero here, just someone who wants conversation to take place.
There does appear to be a plan to put the work of the steering committee on a wiki so it is open to everyone as well as do all of their meetings via webinars which are to be open for anyone to attend. If all of that happens, it will hopefully allow for comments. As long as comments aren’t moderated, that will allow for some open dialogue, or at least comments. Dialogue, IMO, must be two way, otherwise it’s just chatting “at” someone.
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Again, many thanks for your informative updates from ACE and for encouraging the exchange of many diverse opionions and thoughts here. I’ll definitely be investing in a membership here so thank you for extending the enrollment period.
I’m just trying to keep an open mind and hope for the best regarding the upcoming AHDI changes.
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Kathy Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Amanda, thanks. I actually don’t think some of the proposed changes are bad ones. It’s only the method that I was disappointed in. I’m not at all suggesting anyone should throw out the association, just that somehow we need to be more inclusive of diverse opinions and do that with respect.
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Bravo, Kathy.
My words exactly.
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