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First, you've been in the course a minute and a half.  :) <just kidding>  That means at this point it's normal to feel like you're overwhelmed because it's not 'sticking' yet.   Often students at the point where you are will see parts of the coding that they aren't supposed to be doing yet. They know that it's there and feel that they are supposed to understand it. That comes at a later point in the course. You'll be exposed to the material over and over again, and it will become almost second nature.

Studies show that the best way for people to learn is by studying it as if they were going to have to teach it. 

In addition, the studies show that being TESTED on the material frequently, as you will be in this course, will help accelerate the learning process.

Often I would tell you to call Glenda to make sure you aren't trying to do more than the instructions tell you to do. That's the most frequent error students make at this point.  However, today is not a good day to call her because we just got delivery of $30,000 worth of books, and she is shipping them out just as fast as she can physically ship them out.

You could also ask your instructor, of course, but I'm betting that there will be some students here who experienced what I'm talking about and can fill-in for Glenda today, or you can call her tomorrow.   Hopefully one of the ideas above will get you started until you get more answers.

Hi Linda,

Thank you for your speedy response. 

I agree I have been in this course for a minute and a half. I have been a good girl and only doing what I am told to do (i.e.. don't do the problems in the handbook until instructed to, only code what the school lists, etc...). 

I did find on the WHO website a really cool "app" that covers exactly what I needed. It is kind a step by step if you will, with pictures. ;) Now I really understand what it means when they say a three character vs. four character code (I know kinda elementary and I should get it without pictures, but it was a simple example).

I know that I will gain all that I need over the course of this course (see how I made a funny there? "corse of this course"lol) I am just one of those girls that likes to rush ahead and understand now not later. I need to learn how to slow my roll. 

If anyone is interested in the WHO "app" I am happy to share the link if it is allowed. I am also still open to other ideas if anyone has them. 

Thanks,

Lynette

Certainly it is allowed.  I'm also hoping we'll hear from more people with different ideas.

Since I'm on a roll with these new 'studies' I was talking about <grin>, there is a trend now to say that it isn't that the student is an audio-visual or whatever learning so much as the TASK itself requires a certain type of approach.  For example, it doesn't matter how many books you read or videos you watch about riding a bicycle, it requires the hands-on approach.

Has nothing to do with what we're talking about really, but I thought it was fascinating.  It makes sense. 

I also have to admit that I am kind of a fan of YouTube.  When I do any installation or repair, I YouTube it. That works for me, especially when instructions are inadequate.

NOTE: If you try YouTubing Coding, though, keep in mind that much of what is there is obsolete, because coding constantly changes.  That probably still wouldn't keep me from doing it though and adjusting for it.

We need a like button. :) I like youtube they used to say Google is your friend but in this case we could say Youtube is. 

Lynette, I would like the WHO website, please.

I am unsure about what kind of learner I am, but medical anything is new to me.  I enjoyed Module 1 (after about the 3rd section - until then I was kind of stepping onto the ledge).  I love, love, love the Turley book.   And then, in Module 2, you hit the Kuehn book.  I am at that point where I want to bang my head on the wall (not quite to the window yet).  I have to say the instructors are so helpful and positive, it motivates me to keep moving forward.  If you are feeling that urge to jump, email Glenda your questions.

Check these blogs and usually, your answer will be there!  If not, ask the questions - there are lots of really smart and helpful people reading these blogs and they are not shy.

Also, if you will go to the Facebook page [Jobs for American Coders], it is very motivating. 

I just happen to be in that place right now.  We can do this!  

Hey Lynette ... I'd like the WHO app also ... I like stuff like that.

I'm a month into Module 1 and loving it.  I hit the wall for a while on the Circulatory Section.  There is just soooo much information packed into it that it got kinda overwhelming.  But then I remembered....I don't have to memorize all this stuff....I just need to know where to find it.  Kind of a different learning philosophy than most of us grew up with, but I'm adjusting and really appreciating the no-memorization zone!  I am a learn by doing learner mostly.

The instructors are very helpful ... be sure to ask about anything you don't completely understand and they will help get you through it.  And yes, these forums are very helpful.  There is a search function that lets you find previously posted material on a subject (you might have to adjust your search parameters) plus it's a great place to ask questions or just vent.

We all got this!!

Here is the link: http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10training/ICD-10%20training/Start/index.html

I have gone back to the beginning. I was ahead of schedule on my courses so it won't hurt to review what I have already learned. It has all of the same information as our coding handbook so far but it provide very clear examples that have helped me to understand some of the terms and conventions as well steps to getting to the right code.

Let me know if it helps any of you. 

Thank you Kelly. I am really liking the WHO app. I am a see/hear it, do it learner also.

That's interesting website! I just want to point out something … and it is a very important something. You are studying ICD-10-CM, not ICD-10.  They are not the same.

 ICD-10-CM is the International Classification of Diseases, Version 10, Clinical Modification. In other words, it began as ICD-10 but the United States modified it to meet the needs of clinical medicine in the United States.  Every country can do that. 

 If you complete even the first lesson at that website, you will learn that there are three volumes to ICD-10 ... the alphabetic index, the tabular list, and the instruction manual. The lesson shows you copies of the three volumes. Did you stop to wonder where the instruction manual is in your ICD-10-CM? How did you resolve that discrepancy? 

 The problem is that there isn't an instruction manual. You have just learned something that is incorrect!  You learned that ICD-10 has THREE volumes. That is wrong! The ICD-10-CM that we use has only TWO volumes. It does not include "the instruction manual" volume. 

Oh my, I totally forgot that, Peggy.  I LOVE the WHO site and used to get 'Breaking News' from them on a daily basis to my e-mail. I completely forgot that the United States uses a different version of ICD-10 than the rest of the world.  That is VERY important for our students to know.   We need to point that out, and we probably do at other points in the course, but maybe we should do it sooner as well.

I will still continue to love the WHO site because I am a very curious person and want to know what's going on in healthcare all over the world.  Hint: It's usually not good, it is?  viruses, Ebola, famine, water contamination, etc. 

As a curious person, I want to know everything, and WHO is a good source of international information. 

I did notice that they mentioned an instruction manual and wondered what was up with that?  Also noticed the lack of CM...

Yes.  Regardless, though, it's a GREAT site and one everyone should be aware of even if they aren't involved in healthcare at all. Lots of good information about the world we live in.  I particularly found the article on Household Water Treatment to be fascinating. As Peggy knows, I'm really into clean water.  I drove my family, friends, and staff members crazy a week or so ago when I did a 'red-dye test' on my Berkey water filter system and it FAILED!!!!!   My son offered to come over and help me adjust the wing nuts, washers, filters, etc., but NOOOO!  I had to do this project ALONE - BY MYSELF.  I told him, "No, I really want to do this myself, but I'll just call you every 10 minutes and ask you questions that you couldn't possibly answer unless you were here looking at it in person."  So, that's what I did.  I persevered even when at one point I think he was advising me to give up, when he told me it wasn't good on the filters to keep testing them with the red dye.  BUT, I did.   He was very proud of me when my system finally PASSED THE 'RED DYE TEST' after all that work. 

Thanks to all who went through that with me. Sorry I drove you crazy.

Back to the topic though, that article on clean water and how it saves lives is worth searching out. It's on a PDF link.  JUST shows how I really know how to have fun.  I also watch C-SPAN from time to time. 

Hi Instructor Peggy,

Thank you for your response. I did notice that it is referring to ICD-10 not ICD-10-CM. I reconciled it because I knew it was different and that I would/could come across inconsistencies. 

I am not trying to replace the books/curriculum from Andrews. I am looking to enhance it. I like the way they show you an excerpt from the book and lead you to the answer with each slide. By looking at the examples that they show I better understand the concept of what is in our books.

I am happy to use something else if you can recommend something. I did look for Youtube videos, but it is overwhelming. There are so many of them. Do you know of a source that provides something along the same lines as the WHO app that aligns better with our books? Do you think I would benefit from the signing up for the AHA Coding Clinic mentioned in our books?

Thanks,

Lynette

Lynette, no, I don't know of a reliable source of videos. As for Coding Clinic, it is about $375 a year for a subscription. Fortunately, you do not need that. Your ICD textbook, The Coding Handbook, is published by the same organization, the American Hospital Association. It contains the guidelines and other rules that ICD contains, but it also contains what you will find in Coding Clinic.  It is summarized and condensed somewhat to fit in your textbook, but the principles are there.  (That is why we use it!)