Medical coding awareness among uk vascular surgeons: a national survey and the CODE framework for surgical data integrity
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Rao, Ahsan
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background:
Accurate medical coding underpins healthcare reimbursement, audit accuracy, and data governance. This study assessed medical coding awareness among UK vascular surgeons and introduced the CODE Framework, an educational, structured innovation
designed to enhance surgical data integrity.
Methods:
A national, cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and April 2023 using a ten-item anonymised online questionnaire. The questionnaire was circulated through regional vascular forums, surgical trainee networks, and professional social media platforms. Participants were based in secondary and tertiary NHS centres providing vascular surgical care. Responses were analysed descriptively to summarise patterns of awareness, knowledge, and training related to medical coding.
Results :
Ninety-five vascular professionals completed the survey, comprising consultants (41.1%), trainees (36.8%), trust-grade doctors (16.8%), fellows (3.2%), and associate
specialists (2.1%). Overall, 76.8% (95% CI: 67.4–84.2%) reported no formal training in medical coding, while 2.1% (95% CI: 0.6–7.4%) had received formal teaching during
medical school or training. Although 70.5% (95% CI: 60.7–78.8%) supported incorporating coding into surgical curricula, only 9.5% (95% CI: 5.1–17.0%) routinely
documented operative codes. Knowledge gaps persisted: fewer than half (44.2%; 95% CI: 34.6–54.2%) correctly coded a complex vascular bypass scenario.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight important gaps in coding awareness and documentation-related knowledge among UK vascular surgeons. The proposed CODE Framework offers a practical model for improving documentation quality, clinician–coder communication,
and surgical data integrity.
Accurate medical coding underpins healthcare reimbursement, audit accuracy, and data governance. This study assessed medical coding awareness among UK vascular surgeons and introduced the CODE Framework, an educational, structured innovation
designed to enhance surgical data integrity.
Methods:
A national, cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and April 2023 using a ten-item anonymised online questionnaire. The questionnaire was circulated through regional vascular forums, surgical trainee networks, and professional social media platforms. Participants were based in secondary and tertiary NHS centres providing vascular surgical care. Responses were analysed descriptively to summarise patterns of awareness, knowledge, and training related to medical coding.
Results :
Ninety-five vascular professionals completed the survey, comprising consultants (41.1%), trainees (36.8%), trust-grade doctors (16.8%), fellows (3.2%), and associate
specialists (2.1%). Overall, 76.8% (95% CI: 67.4–84.2%) reported no formal training in medical coding, while 2.1% (95% CI: 0.6–7.4%) had received formal teaching during
medical school or training. Although 70.5% (95% CI: 60.7–78.8%) supported incorporating coding into surgical curricula, only 9.5% (95% CI: 5.1–17.0%) routinely
documented operative codes. Knowledge gaps persisted: fewer than half (44.2%; 95% CI: 34.6–54.2%) correctly coded a complex vascular bypass scenario.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight important gaps in coding awareness and documentation-related knowledge among UK vascular surgeons. The proposed CODE Framework offers a practical model for improving documentation quality, clinician–coder communication,
and surgical data integrity.
Date Acceptance
2026-09-18
Citation
Annals of Medicine and Surgery
ISSN
2049-0801
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Annals of Medicine and Surgery
Copyright Statement
Copyright This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the author’s accepted manuscript will be made available under a CC-BY License in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy).
License URL
Publication Status
Accepted