Program Objectives

1. Program Vision

The vision of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program is to be a leading educational program that is preferred in the healthcare sector, educates qualified healthcare personnel whose knowledge, skills, and ethical values make a difference in the field, and who can adapt to health information technologies while embracing continuous development.

2. Program Mission

The mission of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program is to educate qualified healthcare personnel who are capable of effectively managing medical documentation, patient registration, and health information management processes required by the healthcare sector; who can use health information systems; who are committed to professional ethical principles; and who possess strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in teams.

In line with a student-centered education approach, the program aims to educate individuals who adopt the principles of quality, patient safety, and data confidentiality; who can adapt to evolving healthcare technologies; and who have a lifelong learning perspective.

3. Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

Within a few years after graduation, graduates of the program are expected to:

PEO1. Effectively and accurately carry out medical documentation, patient registration, archiving, and health information management processes in healthcare institutions and organizations.

PEO2. Contribute to service delivery by using health information systems and digital technologies.

PEO3. Perform their duties as responsible individuals who are sensitive to professional ethical principles, patient rights, and data privacy and security.

PEO4. Demonstrate effective communication skills, adapt to teamwork, and adopt a patient-centered service approach.

PEO5. Sustain their professional development, adapt to the changing healthcare system and technologies, and embrace lifelong learning.

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Educational Objective (EO)	Detailed KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
EO1. Graduates acquire professional competencies to effectively carry out medical documentation, patient registration, and health information management processes.	·     Core course success rate: ≥ 70% in Medical Terminology, Medical Documentation, and Health Services Management courses ·     Internship success rate: ≥ 90% of students successfully completing the internship ·     On-time graduation rate: ≥ 60% of students completing the program within 2 years
EO2. Graduates develop practical skills by effectively using health information systems and adapt to the sector.	·      HBYS (Hospital Information Management System) application success rate: ≥ 70% in practice-based courses ·      Employment rate within the first 6 months: ≥ 50% ·      Post-internship employment/retention rate: ≥ 25% employed in the internship institution
EO3. Graduates act in accordance with professional ethics, patient rights, and data privacy principles.	·      Ethics course success rate: ≥ 80% ·      Employer satisfaction rate (ethical behavior): ≥ 70% (survey-based) ·      Disciplinary case rate: ≤ 5%
EO4. Graduates demonstrate strong communication skills, teamwork ability, and a patient-centered service approach.	·      Communication skills course success rate: ≥ 75% ·      Group work success rate: ≥ 70% ·      Student satisfaction score: ≥ 3.5 / 5
EO5. Graduates continuously improve themselves by adapting to evolving healthcare technologies and embracing lifelong learning.	·      Vertical transfer exam (DGS) placement rate: ≥ 20% ·      Participation rate in professional training/seminars: ≥ 40% ·      Graduate tracking participation rate: ≥ 30%

Alignment of Program Educational Objectives with MEDEK Criteria

Criterion	Explanation (Program Status)
The program must define its educational objectives and make them publicly available.	The program has clearly defined five educational objectives (EO1: professional competence, EO2: health informatics applications, EO3: ethics and responsibility, EO4: communication and teamwork, EO5: lifelong learning and development). These objectives are publicly shared through the program’s official website, academic information package (ECTS), and promotional materials.
The program must have key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and document the achievement level of its educational objectives.	Quantitative and qualitative KPIs have been defined for each educational objective. For EO1, course success and graduation rates are used; for EO2, application-based course performance and employment data; for EO3, employer and graduate feedback; for EO4, student satisfaction and communication skill indicators; and for EO5, vertical transfer (DGS) rates and professional development indicators are utilized.
Educational objectives must be aligned with MEDEK as well as the mission and vision of the institution and vocational school.	The educational objectives are aligned with the institutional vision of “training qualified human resources,” “quality culture,” and “industry collaboration.” The program supports the applied education approach of the vocational school and ensures a balanced development of knowledge, skills, and competencies tailored to the healthcare sector.
The process of achieving educational objectives must be defined and supported by an appropriate assessment and evaluation system.	The process of achieving educational objectives is defined through the chain: EO → Program Outcomes → Courses → Assessment and Evaluation → KPIs. Assessment and evaluation are conducted through exams, practical applications, projects and assignments, internship evaluations, and surveys involving students, graduates, and employers.
The achievement level of educational objectives must be systematically monitored.	KPI results are analyzed at the end of each academic year and evaluated by the Program Quality Commission. Course success rates, internship performance, graduate tracking data, and stakeholder feedback are considered, and the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) cycle is implemented.
The program must have a defined mission and vision and make them publicly available.	The program’s mission and vision are defined in alignment with the institutional goals of the university and the vocational school. These are publicly shared via the program website, academic package, and promotional materials.
Mechanisms must be established and implemented to ensure the participation of internal and external stakeholders in educational processes.	For internal stakeholders, course evaluation surveys, student representation, and academic board meetings are utilized. For external stakeholders, graduate and employer surveys, as well as sectoral feedback, are employed. The collected data are used in curriculum updates and continuous improvement of educational objectives.

4. Committees

 

Committee Name	Committee Members	Duties / Brief Description
Program Coordination	Asst. Prof. Canan Bulut Lect. Emin Aksan	Planning, implementation, and coordination of the program’s educational processes; updating course contents and monitoring quality processes
Scholarship Committee	Asst. Prof. Canan Bulut Lect. Emin Aksan	Evaluating students’ scholarship applications in accordance with university regulations and managing the related processes
Internship Committee	Asst. Prof. Canan Bulut Lect. Emin Aksan	Planning, monitoring, and evaluating compulsory internship processes; ensuring coordination with healthcare institutions
Double Major and Minor Coordination	Asst. Prof. Canan Bulut	Informing students about double major and minor opportunities; managing application processes and course equivalency procedures
Transfer, Adaptation and Exemption Committee	Asst. Prof. Canan Bulut Lecturer Emin Aksan	Evaluating horizontal/vertical transfer and exemption applications; comparing course contents and conducting adaptation procedures
Graduation Committee	Asst. Prof. Canan Bulut Lect. Emin Aksan	Verifying students’ fulfillment of graduation requirements and managing graduation procedures
Promotion Committee	Asst. Prof. Canan Bulut Lect. Emin Aksan	Conducting program promotion activities and organizing informational events for prospective students
Program Quality Committee	Asst. Prof. Canan Bulut Lect. Emin Aksan Esmanur Yılmaz (Student) Nehir Deniz (Student)	Managing quality assurance processes; preparing self-evaluation reports; conducting assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement activities
Erasmus – Farabi – Mevlana Coordination	Asst. Prof. Kübra Öztürk	Coordinating students’ participation in national and international exchange programs
Social, Cultural and Sports Activities Committee	Lect. Emin Aksan Esmanur Yılmaz (Student) Nehir Deniz (Student)	Encouraging student participation in social, cultural, and sports activities and organizing related events
Social Media and Student Activities Committee	Lect. Emin Aksan Esmanur Yılmaz (Student) Asya Kandemir (Student) Nehir Deniz (Student)	Managing the program’s social media accounts, announcing events, and enhancing student engagement

The Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program was established in 2018 within the Vocational School of İstanbul Kültür University in order to meet the increasing demand for qualified intermediate staff in the healthcare sector. The program commenced its educational activities in the 2018–2019 academic year.

Since its establishment, the program has aimed to educate healthcare personnel who meet the needs of healthcare institutions, are proficient in health information systems, can effectively manage patient registration and medical documentation processes, adhere to ethical principles, and possess strong communication skills.

The educational structure of the program is continuously updated in line with the Bologna Process, the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF), and the criteria of the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Vocational Education (MEDEK).

The program is a two-year associate degree program offered after secondary education. Students who successfully complete all courses in the program, fulfill the compulsory internship requirement, and achieve a minimum of 120 ECTS credits are awarded an Associate Degree in Medical Documentation and Secretarial Studies.

The program corresponds to Level 5 of the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF). Graduates acquire the professional knowledge, skills, and competencies required for employment in both public and private healthcare institutions.

The language of instruction of the program is Turkish.

In order to enhance students’ proficiency in professional terminology, the curriculum also includes courses in medical terminology and vocational English.

The program is delivered as a full-time, formal education program.

In addition to theoretical courses, students’ professional competencies are supported through practical courses, laboratory work, and compulsory internship applications. Furthermore, access to course materials is provided through digital learning platforms (such as CATS), thereby supporting the learning process.

 

Admission to the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program is based on the results of the centralized Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) conducted by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM).

Applicants are evaluated according to the Basic Proficiency Test (TYT) score type in line with the principles determined by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), and are placed in the program by ÖSYM based on their preferences.

The registration procedures of admitted students are carried out by the Registrar’s Office of İstanbul Kültür University in accordance with the relevant regulations and the academic calendar.

In addition, students may be admitted to the program through alternative admission routes such as horizontal transfer, vertical transfer (DGS), double major/minor programs, and international student admission, in accordance with the regulations set by the Council of Higher Education. These processes are conducted in a transparent and standardized manner in line with the relevant legislation.

Furthermore, indicators such as program quotas, placement scores, ranking positions, and occupancy rates of admitted students are regularly monitored and evaluated within the scope of the quality assurance system.

Students of İstanbul Kültür University who successfully complete their education may, provided that they meet the required conditions, pursue a second program concurrently with their primary field of study. Students who successfully complete the Double Major Program are entitled to receive two separate associate degree diplomas.

Students enrolled in the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program may pursue a double major in the following programs:

·        Opticianry

·        Child Development

·        Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology

·        Construction Technology

·        Radio and Television Technology

·        Computer Programming

·        Flight Operations Management

·        Banking and Insurance

·        Office Management and Executive Assistance

·        Foreign Trade

·        Graphic Design

·        Public Relations and Promotion

·        Air Logistics

·        Business Administration

·        Logistics

·        Fashion Design

·        Health Institutions Management

·        Civil Aviation Management

·        Civil Aviation Cabin Services

·        Aircraft Technology

·        Tourism and Hotel Management

In today’s information society, the level of development of countries is directly related to the qualified human resources they possess. In this context, the main objective of vocational education is to educate individuals who integrate theoretical knowledge with practice and can respond to the needs of the labor market.

The internship (workplace practice) included in the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program is a compulsory educational component that enables students to develop their professional knowledge and skills in a real working environment. The duration of the internship in the program is determined as 40 working days in accordance with the relevant legislation and school regulations.

Internship practices are carried out in public and private healthcare institutions compatible with the field of education of the students, and provide students with the opportunity to transfer their theoretical knowledge into practice.

Within this scope, the internship process provides students with important contributions such as:

·        Developing their professional knowledge and skills in a practice environment

·        Observing the functioning of healthcare institutions on-site

·        Actively participating in health information systems and documentation processes

·        Developing teamwork, communication and organizational skills

·        Gaining awareness of professional ethics, patient rights and data confidentiality

·        Recognizing the career areas they are interested in and determining their professional orientations

·        Gaining the ability to develop solutions for problems they may encounter in working life

In addition, the internship process enables students to establish direct interaction with sectoral stakeholders, contributing to the development of communication with potential employers and increasing employment opportunities after graduation.

In this respect, the internship is evaluated as a fundamental learning process that reinforces students’ professional competencies, provides work experience and increases their employability.

In order to graduate from the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program, students are required to successfully complete all courses in the program and achieve a total of 120 ECTS credits.

In addition, students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 out of 4.00.

Within the scope of the program, students are required to complete a compulsory internship of 40 working days in order to develop their professional knowledge and skills in a practical environment. Internships are carried out in public or private healthcare institutions approved by the program coordinator and are evaluated by the relevant committee to determine the success status.

Graduation requirements are conducted in accordance with the İstanbul Kültür University Education and Training Regulation and are structured in a way that enables students to acquire academic and professional competencies.

The program offers students the opportunity to gain education and internship experience in different countries in line with the internationalization policies of İstanbul Kültür University.

Within this scope, through the university’s Erasmus Coordination Office, students can benefit from:

·        Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Studies

·        Erasmus+ Traineeship Mobility

Through these mobility programs, students have the opportunity to become familiar with different healthcare systems, develop their professional knowledge and skills at an international level, and enhance their intercultural communication skills.

In addition, international collaborations make significant contributions to improving the quality of education of the program and to educating graduates who are competitive at a global level.

Graduates of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program have a wide range of employment opportunities in different fields of the healthcare sector.

Graduates can work in various healthcare institutions, primarily:

·        Public and private hospitals

·        Polyclinics and medical centers

·        Oral and dental health centers

·        Laboratories and imaging centers

·        Health insurance institutions

·        Medical archive and documentation units

Graduates undertake duties such as patient admission and registration processes, management of medical documentation processes, use of health information systems, archiving, and data management in these institutions.

In addition, some graduates continue their academic development by transferring to related undergraduate programs through the Vertical Transfer Exam (DGS).

The employment status and career development of graduates are regularly monitored through graduate tracking systems and surveys, and the data obtained are used for the continuous improvement of the program.

Graduates of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program may transfer to undergraduate programs in accordance with the provisions of the “Regulation on the Continuation of Associate Degree Graduates of Vocational Schools to Undergraduate Education,” published in the Official Gazette dated 19.02.2002 and numbered 24676.

Within this scope, graduates are placed in relevant undergraduate programs based on the results of the Vertical Transfer Exam (DGS) conducted by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM).

Vertical transfer opportunities contribute to students’ advancement of their professional knowledge and skills to a higher level, continuation of their academic development, and expansion of their career opportunities.

Main Undergraduate Programs for Vertical Transfer

·        Health Management

·        Business Administration

·        Business Management

The vertical transfer success and placement rates of program graduates are regularly monitored, and these data are used in the evaluation and improvement processes of the program’s educational quality.

The Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program provides physical, technological, and institutional resources that support students’ professional and academic development.

Within the scope of the program, students effectively benefit from modern classrooms, computer laboratories, and practice areas located at the İstanbul Kültür University İncirli Campus. In these laboratories, students are enabled to develop practical skills related to health information systems, office software, and digital documentation processes.

Through the university’s CATS (Learning Management System), access to course materials, assignments, and assessment processes is provided in a digital environment, thereby supporting the learning process.

In addition, students benefit from the following facilities:

·        Library and electronic databases

·        Career center and internship support services

·        Student Dean’s Office and psychological counseling services

·        Student clubs and social activities

·        Design Factory and interdisciplinary project environments

These resources contribute to students’ professional competence, facilitate their interaction with the healthcare sector, and support their preparation for professional life after graduation.

Within the scope of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program, various academic and practice-oriented activities are organized in order to support students’ professional development and increase their interaction with the sector.

Activities carried out within this scope include:

·        Technical visits to healthcare institutions

·        Seminars and conferences organized with the participation of expert speakers

·        Workshops aimed at developing professional skills

·        Training and informational activities related to career planning

In addition, activities organized throughout the university are announced through the university event calendar (UNICAL), and active participation of students is encouraged.

Program activities contribute to reinforcing students’ theoretical knowledge through practice, increasing their sectoral awareness, and developing their professional networks.