Training

What is HRCS training?

While the HRCS is designed to be an easy-to-use classification system, the subject matter for health research is sufficiently diverse that novice coders may struggle when first starting out applying HRCS coding. The main HRCS handbook and this website are designed to guide a new coder on the best methods to use and to identify common areas for confusion.  However there are nuances to any classification system that may not be apparent from simply reading the guidelines.

To ensure that the HRCS is applied appropriately and consistently, we recommend those using HRCS coding attend a training session or watch the recording of our most recent session below: 

Training sessions are largely organised through the Health Research Analysis Forum (HRAF), which monitors the HRCS on behalf of the UKCRC. The training sessions cover both the use and application of HRCS coding… but the frequency of training sessions are dependent on demand and availability of a very limited number of experienced trainers.

Why attend HRCS training?

Typically new coders will learn about HRCS from their colleagues with provides a decent baseline on the expectations of HRCS in your home organisation. By attending a universal training session, you’ll be given a broader understanding of the aims, uses and application of the HRCS and guidance on the common issues/misconceptions that you’ll need to be aware of.

Attending the training sessions allows us to convey the ‘essence’ of coding, the main coding approaches used to reliably apply coding and identifies some of the more difficult aspects of coding or common mistakes made by inexperienced coders. We also explain more about the background to the system, it’s uses in the UK and the potential for future use on a global scale. In addition to the ~1hr training session, we offer an interactive sample abstract coding element, allowing coders to apply their newly learnt skills on real abstracts, with guidance from the trainers.

If you are interested in formal training, please contact us for further information.

Training Resources

Those who have already attended can find resources from the latest training sessions here. These include:

• Main Presentation (Slideset PDF) – the full training slideset; contains the background of UKCRC/HRCS and the main ‘Approach to Coding’ training slides.
• The main HRCS Handbook and Common Mistakes documents.
• Example Abstracts to Code (Slideset PDF) – Examples for new coders to work on, with recommendation removed for ‘self testing’
  • Example Abstracts (Slideset PDF) – Recommended codes for the example abstracts include the weblinks to specific guidance topics.
  • Example Abstracts Walkthru (Notes PDF) – to help resolve further queries and ‘show your working’ of how to reach the most appropriate codes required.

Please remember the abstract notes contain the ‘answers’ to the Example Abstract exercise. We recommend you keep these for your own reference, but avoid wider distribution. We recommend new coders seek training rather than learning as they go from training resources!