CDIs tell the story behind the patient record

I came across this article from HealthLeaders Media the other day. It talks about the importance storytelling in healthcare. I don’t think they were talking about the “once upon a time” kind of storytelling, but more about the kind of storytelling that represents what we writer-types like to call the “narrative arc.”  Simply put, everything has a cause and effect whether it’s how some story-book character’s childhood upbringing comes to bear on their philosophical outlook or, in the case of clinical documentation improvement,  how a particular patient’s clinical indicators come to bear on his or her inpatient stay.

CDI professionals try to get all the story particulars from all the various characters as they each play their role in the development (and resolution) of a patient’s healthcare plot.

According to the article, facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom are using storytelling to enhance patient history information to get a better sense of how to treat the patient. Storytelling also helps providers develop a relationship with the patient and form a better understanding of an individual case, writes Sarah Kearns.

While I’m not suggesting that we rename clinical documentation improvement specialists “storytellers” I am suggesting CDI professionals take a second to consider the health record as if it represents the “story” of the patient’s life, the story of his or her care. Furthermore, I am suggesting that perhaps expressing your documentation improvement efforts in that way may actually resonate with the physicians and help them understand the important role you also play.