General Discussions

Asking questions...

Asking questions...

by Deleted user -
Number of replies: 3

Coding Mod 1 students getting frustrated over Hazelwood exercises and early MT students wanting to play with expanders, I'm looking at you!),

After doing some research on the board and reading Linda's post I am deciding to ask a question.  (I really miss those emoticons.)  Anyhow, up until this point I really wasn't thinking what my weak area was, I just assumed it was due to being inexperienced with coding.  I wasn't sure how to even formulate a question because I really didn't know what my weakness was...but now, a lightbulb is going off.  I ask with the risk of appearing "stooopid". But we all know to not ask a question is really stupid! 

So my one weakness I have noted regarding coding:  I do not know which diagnosis, impression, documentation is of a more serious nature.  I find that my experience of an acute care MT has hindered me, because I think one thing is more serious when in reality another illness, disease or condition is actually worse than the one I listed or order.  My questions are:   Will this get better as I progress?  Is it a lack of experience in coding? i.e. repetitive training that after doing it 'you will get it.'  I really hope to learn fellow students  instructors, and graduates. 

Re: Asking questions...

by Linda Andrews -

I hope you get some good answers to your question. I would start out by giving you a more general answer. Students, both MT and coding, tend to have meltdowns at certain parts of the courses. Over time the things they thought were so difficult start coming together. It will be a different thing for each student and at a different part of the course. The only thing that is typical of most students is the fact that it all comes together at some point. We don't necessarily know where. We don't always know how. 

It will be interesting to hear from other students about their experience with weaknesses, lightbulb moments, etc.

Re: Asking questions...

by Paulette JM, CCS -

Hi Debbie,

I am in module IV of the coding course and I'm finding inpatient coding really challenging.  I do have to say this, I, too, am a medical transcriptionist and have had the same exact problem.  But, what you will find later in the course is that one symptom or "manifestation" will be a part of the illness; hence, you won't have to code the symptom individually as it will already be part of the illness.  But, it does get better, but in my experience once I "got" it in one area, I was confused in another.  I struggle with ADD, so this is probably why I have so much trouble thinking I remember things and then when I try to apply it I get it wrong sometimes.  So, just hang in there.  I have been told many, many times once it clicks it just all falls into place, but I wanted to let you know you are definitely NOT stupid. Coding is very different from MT.  I thought I knew a lot about the body and anatomy, but this course has proven me wrong more times than not.  :)  You will get it. 

 

Paulette

Re: Asking questions...

by Deleted user -

Thank you, Linda and Paulette, for your responses.  They are reassuring and helpful.