The latest issue of HIM-Interchange was a COVID-19 special edition. Who would have thought a COVID-19 special edition would still be relevant in 2021? Many of us thought COVID-19 would be an issue of 2020; however, at the time this issue was released, several states and territories in Australia were in lockdown (Melbourne was ahead of the rest with Lockdown 6.0).
The articles in this issue explore the impact of COVID-19 on our personal lives, our working lives, our professional lives and just about every other aspect of life. We hear of virtual placements replacing face-to-face ones, the use of communities of practice to support students, going paperless (fast!), infectious disease disaster management, the joys, and pitfalls, of working from home and the odd face-to-face experience in what was a largely virtual period.
In the next issue of HIM–Interchange, which will be released at the end of November, we celebrate ten years of the journal. We explore the past, present and future of our professional practice journal. From a pull-out (2011-2013) to a stand-alone paper journal (2014), HIM-Interchange now sits comfortably in an online website. This digital move allows better search functionality, more effective spotlight and promotion of articles and a user-friendly format. In an ever-changing world, the HIM-Interchange website supports timely and up-to-date publication of contemporary issues.
Join us on a HIM-Interchange journey, from its inception in 2011 to its tenth birthday in 2021. While much of the technology has evolved over time, many of the same issues remain, albeit presenting in different ways.
We will be rolling out a HIM-Interchange website survey soon and welcome your feedback. If you attended the 2021 HIMAA virtual Conference, you may have seen or even completed a small snapshot survey; however, we have more questions coming, so keep your eyes peeled.
Do you have a story you want to tell? Write something for HIM-Interchange! It is a haven for HIMs and other professionals to publish their innovations and experiences and discuss emerging issues to ensure we remain abreast with changes and development in the health information management world.
We look forward to hearing from you at himinterchange@himaa.org.au
Emma Barker