What Makes You Tick?
I was tickled that 500 of you took the time to fill out our fun, brief survey on "What Makes HIM Professionals Tick?" A second installment is currently posted
on our Web site, and I hope the response is as good for that one. Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill it out!
Based on the findings, we can conclude the following: You're busy folks! Forty-five percent responded that while they'd like to nap, they don't have time. But, you love your job, and 34% of you responded saying what you like best about your job is that you truly enjoy the work you do.
The majority of HIM professionals who checked the survey boxes landed in the field either by chance (38%) or by choice, as 28% said they liked HIM because it didn't involve that "ick factor" of hands-on patient care, but still involved a career in health care.
When it comes to a perfect night, 36% of you would spend it out at a romantic dinner, followed up with a feel-good flick. Others would prefer time at home, and nearly a quarter said a perfect night would be spent with their children, while another 23% said that an ideal evening would be spent catching up with the DVR.
HIM professionals who answered also showed their green streak, and we're not talking about envy. Nearly one in five celebrate Earth Day in some form, and a whopping 59% report that they recycle voluntarily.
When it comes to social networking, though, HIM professionals seem to prefer to stay away. Fifty-six percent noted that they don't use any social networking tools, like Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, while those who do mainly use the tools to stay in touch with friends, connect with long-lost friends, for work and networking and to keep up with family.
The top three places HIM professionals daydream of visiting are Hawaii, Italy and Australia, in that order. In other results, nearly half of you still own and use your VCRs, while the mode of transportation preferred by HIM professionals by far is the automobile (61%), although 21% like to travel by train.
Breakdown of the results (note that all may not add up to 100% due to rounding):
Do you still own and use a VCR?
28% It's collecting dust at the bottom of a closet.
48% I fire up my VHS collection often.
24% I've moved on to a DVR.
0% Never heard of it.
What do you like best about your job?
8% Great coworkers.
34% I truly enjoy the work I do.
26% The challenges it presents each day.
20% Learning new things.
6% Being part of the health care documentation process.
5% Going home at the end of the day.
A perfect night would consist of:
36% A romantic dinner and a feel-good movie.
23% A peaceful night at home with my DVR.
10% A raucous night out with friends and/or family.
8% Finishing up all the work I have to catch up on.
24% Spending time with my children.
Do you do anything special for Earth Day?
19% Yes.
77% No.
3% What's an Earth Day?
What's your favorite mode of transportation?
21% Train
7% Plane
61% Automobile
4% Bicycle
7% The Old Shoe Leather Express
If you use social networking tools like Facebook and LinkedIn, why do you use them?
9% To connect with long-lost friends.
15% To stay in touch with my group of friends.
8% To keep in touch with my family.
9% For work and networking.
3% Because I'm nosy!
56% I don't use social networking tools.
If you could visit any of these places, which would you pick?
24% Italy
3% Brazil
28% Hawaii
4% Japan
12% England
7% Australia
7% I'm happy at home.
What's your nap policy?
24% I'm a power napper.
45% I wish I could nap, but I don't have time.
21% I like long naps.
10% Napping is for babies.
What made you become an HIM professional?
38%I fell into the program at college or stumbled into on-the-job training.
28% I didn't want to deal with the ick factor of hands-on patient care but wanted to be in health care.
11% A friend inspired me to get involved.
18% I've always had an interest in HIM and knew this was the right choice.
5% I'm wondering that too, lately.
Do you participate in a recycling program at home?
13% Yes, my community requires it.
59% Yes, I recycle voluntarily.
28% No.