Perception of Health Information Management Professionals on the Need of Specialties in Health Information Management in Nigeria

Health information management professionals can concentrate on particular aspects of health information management that suit their interests and areas of expertise because each specialty would call for a different set of skills and knowledge. However, it has been observed that in Nigeria, there has been a lack of specialization by most of the health information management professionals. It is in light of this that the researcher aims to shed light on the consequences of maintaining a predominantly generalist approach within Health Information Management and the potential benefits associated with embracing specialized roles. The research was limited to health information management professionals in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun state, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo, Ondo-state, and University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive research design. Proportionate Sampling formular was used to selected One hundred and eighty – three (183) Health Information Managers in the study area. However, a total of one hundred and sixty - two (162) participated in the study giving a response rate of 88.5%. Data analysis was done utilizing descriptive statistics with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.The findings of this study revealed a strong awareness and understanding of HIM specializations among Nigerian professionals and emphasize the importance of specialization in improving healthcare services. However, significant challenges such as lack of awareness, limited funding, resistance to change, and regulatory barriers need to be addressed. The suggested strategies, including formal certification programs, mentorship, and partnerships, provide a comprehensive approach to advancing HIM specialization in Nigeria.The study concluded that there is high level of awareness and understanding among Health Information Management (HIM) professionals in Nigeria regarding the importance of specialization within their field. It was recommended that healthcare organizations should create specialized HIM roles and career pathways to attract and retain talent with deep expertise in key functional areas. Providing opportunities for HIM professionals to develop specialized skills and knowledge.