The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a common, standardized language
for medical terminology that allows for the sharing of information with less ambiguity,
and a reduced chance for errors when coding. ICD-11, the latest version, is completely
digital and has many updates including a new user-friendly format, multilingual
capabilities, clarity of terms, updated diagnostic recommendations for mental health
conditions, new chapters (traditional medicine, sexual health, and gaming disorders), and
digital documentation of COVID-19 certificates. “These updates reflect recent progress in
medicine and advances in scientific understanding” (WHO, 2022).
The qualities of the updates included in ICD-11 that would be beneficial to
countries looking to adopt it would be the multilingual capabilities, entirely digital user-
friendly format, and clarity of terms. All of these will help with the coding process and
make it easier for healthcare providers to record medical conditions. The standardization
that ICD-11 offers make it easier to share information across providers, resulting in
continuity of care for the patients.
Reference:
World Health Organization (WHO), (2022 Feb 11).WHO’s new International
Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) comes into effect.
https://www.who.int/news/item/11-02-2022-who-s-new-international-
classification-of-diseases-(icd-11)-comes-into-effect
