1. Minimize memorization. A number of codes are increasing exponentially from ICD-9 to ICD-10. Increased anatomic specificity from physicians can help minimize the number of digits coders need to memorize.
2. Avoid medical coder queries. Physicians will need to improve clinical documentation on the front end. It will be a much more onerous task for coders to go back and retrieve information they were not provided with originally. Engage medical leadership for a smoother transition.
3. Encourage physicians to teach themselves. Typically, physicians have a difficult time learning from coders, said Paul Weygandt of Nuance Healthcare. To keep physicians interested and engaged, reduce the complexity of the education and encourage physicians to learn from their peers.
4. Choose technology wisely. Only add technology that fits into the physician workflow. Most physicians prefer spoken communication to data entry, in which case natural language processing can be productive.
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