Defining career success: A cross-sectional analysis of health information managers' perceptions.

Abstract

Background: Career success can be defined as the accomplishment of desirable outcomes in an individual's work experiences. It can be divided into objective and subjective career success. Objective success refers to tangible and measurable outcomes such as promotions and position titles. Subjective career success relates to an individual's interpretations of their success or accomplishments. The career success of health information management professionals has not been explored in the literature.

Aim: To determine the indicators of career success as reported by health information managers (HIMs) and identify whether there are any differences based on length of time in the profession.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, an online survey was administered to a sample of La Trobe University and Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences Medical Record Administration and Health Information Management graduates from 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015, which included the following question: "How would you define success in your career?"

Results: Almost 88% (n = 63) of overall participants in the study responded to this item. Subjective factors (n = 77) of career success, compared to objective factors (n = 22), were more common. The categories of recognition (feeling valued/appreciated), job satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment/sense of achievement were commonly reported.

Discussion: Subjective factors of an individual's career success were deemed to be more significant than objective factors among HIMs.

Conclusion: Factors such as recognition and appreciation at work, job satisfaction, fostering high-quality work outputs and creating a sense of achievement should be the major foci for managers, organisations and individuals.