The effective, safe, and sustainable delivery of healthcare services is only possible through accurate record-keeping, document management, and the efficient use of health information systems. The field of Medical Documentation and Secretarial Services is a vital profession that plays a critical role in the administrative and clinical processes of healthcare institutions and supports the orderly delivery of healthcare services.
The Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program at Istanbul Kültür University aims to educate healthcare technicians who can effectively use health information systems, manage patient admission and registration processes, possess a strong command of medical terminology, demonstrate effective communication skills, and adhere to professional ethical principles required by healthcare institutions and organizations.
Our program is conducted through a student-centered educational approach that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application while taking into account the current needs of the healthcare sector.
Program Objectives
The educational objectives of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program are to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required by the healthcare sector; to enable graduates to perform effectively in healthcare institutions; to support their professional development through a lifelong learning perspective; and to provide opportunities for continuing their education at the bachelor’s degree level.
Program Educational Objectives (PEO)
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 healthcare service delivery through the effective use of health information systems and digital technologies.
PEO3. Perform their duties as responsible professionals who are sensitive to professional ethical principles, patient rights, data privacy, and information security.
PEO4. Demonstrate effective communication skills, work effectively in teams, and adopt a patient-centered service approach.
PEO5. Maintain continuous professional development, adapt to evolving healthcare systems and technologies, and uphold a commitment to lifelong learning.
Educational Process
The duration of the program is two years. Throughout their studies, students receive education in areas such as medical terminology, healthcare management, hospital information systems, medical documentation, quality in healthcare services, healthcare legislation, health information technologies, and communication skills.
While the first two semesters focus on developing students’ fundamental professional knowledge and skills, the third and fourth semesters place greater emphasis on specialized courses that support professional expertise. Within the scope of the program, students engage in practical studies related to health information systems, electronic health records, medical archiving, and the operational processes of healthcare institutions.
The curriculum is continuously updated in line with current developments in the healthcare sector and feedback from stakeholders, with the aim of enabling students to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application.
Practical Training and Internship
As part of the program, students gain professional experience through compulsory internships in healthcare institutions and organizations. During their internships, students actively participate in patient admission procedures, medical record systems, documentation activities, the use of health information systems, and archiving processes.
These practical experiences allow students to become familiar with professional working environments before graduation and provide opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
Career and Academic Opportunities After Graduation
Graduates of the program may work in outpatient clinics, clinical departments, laboratories, imaging centers, medical archives, patient admission units, patient registration departments, and health information management units within public and private healthcare institutions.
In addition, graduates may continue their education by transferring to related bachelor's degree programs—primarily Healthcare Management, Business Administration, and Business Management—through the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS).
The Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program of Istanbul Kültür University Vocational School aims to educate qualified healthcare technicians who will contribute to the effective, safe, and sustainable delivery of healthcare services. The program focuses on training professionals who can work in patient admission, medical documentation, health information management, archiving, and healthcare communication processes within healthcare institutions.
With the rapid digitalization of the healthcare sector, the importance of health information systems, electronic health records, and data management applications continues to increase. Our program aims to educate individuals who can effectively utilize current healthcare technologies, possess comprehensive knowledge of health information systems, demonstrate strong analytical thinking skills, and adhere to professional ethical principles.
During the two-year educational process, students receive both theoretical and practical training in medical terminology, healthcare management, hospital information systems, healthcare legislation, quality in healthcare services, healthcare communication, and medical documentation. Internship and practical training activities incorporated into the program support students in gaining professional experience.
In line with Istanbul Kültür University's vision of internationalization, our students have the opportunity to participate in Erasmus+ Student Mobility programs and gain educational experience in different countries.
Our graduates may pursue careers in public and private hospitals, university hospitals, oral and dental health centers, medical centers, health insurance organizations, health tourism enterprises, and health information management units. Furthermore, graduates may continue their academic studies by transferring to bachelor's degree programs through the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS).
Program Vision
The vision of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program is to be a leading educational program that educates qualified healthcare professionals who are sought after in the healthcare sector, distinguished through their knowledge, skills, and ethical values, capable of adapting to healthcare information technologies, and committed to continuous development.
Program Mission
The mission of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program is to educate qualified healthcare professionals who can effectively manage medical documentation, patient registration, and health information management processes required by the healthcare sector; utilize healthcare information systems efficiently; adhere to professional ethical principles; possess strong communication skills; and work effectively as part of a team.
In line with a student-centered educational approach, the program aims to cultivate individuals who embrace the principles of quality, patient safety, and data confidentiality, can adapt to evolving healthcare technologies, and possess a lifelong learning mindset.
External Stakeholders
- Private Aile Hospital
- Private Yaşar Hospital
- Private Medical Park Pendik Hospital
- Private Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital
- International Health Tourism Employers' Union (USTİS)
Our program continues to develop in accordance with a philosophy of continuous improvement by incorporating feedback received from its external stakeholders into its educational processes.
The ongoing digital transformation in the healthcare sector, the widespread adoption of health information systems, and the increasing complexity of healthcare services have led to a growing demand for qualified professionals in the field of Medical Documentation and Secretarial Services. In response to these developments, the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program aims to educate healthcare technicians equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required by healthcare institutions and organizations.
The primary objective of our program is to graduate individuals who possess a strong command of medical terminology, can effectively utilize health information technologies, are sensitive to patient rights and professional ethical principles, demonstrate strong communication skills, and are capable of working effectively as part of a team. Beyond learning current professional practices, our students are encouraged to follow scientific and technological developments in healthcare and to become individuals who can adapt to changing conditions.
In line with our student-centered educational approach, theoretical knowledge and practical application are integrated throughout the program. Through internships and practice-oriented courses, students are supported in gaining professional experience. Our educational processes are regularly reviewed based on feedback from internal and external stakeholders and are continuously updated within the framework of continuous improvement.
As the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program, our vision is to become a leading and preferred educational program that educates innovative healthcare professionals who contribute to the effectiveness of healthcare services, possess a strong sense of professional responsibility, and embrace lifelong learning.
We wish all students who show interest in our program a successful and rewarding educational journey, and we look forward to contributing together to the future of the healthcare sector.
Assist. Prof. Canan Bulut
Head of the Program
Graduates of the Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program are employed in positions related to information management, patient registration processes, medical documentation, and the effective use of health information systems in the delivery of healthcare services. With the rapid digitalization of the healthcare sector, the demand for qualified professionals in the fields of medical secretarial services and health information management continues to grow.
Our graduates have employment opportunities in the following institutions and departments:
- Public hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health
- University hospitals
- Private hospitals and healthcare groups
- Oral and Dental Health Centers (ODHCs)
- Medical centers and outpatient clinics
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation centers
- Imaging and diagnostic centers
- Home healthcare service units
- Institutions operating in the field of health tourism
- Private health insurance organizations
- Healthcare units within public institutions
- Medical archives and documentation departments
- Patient admission and patient registration units
- Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) departments
- Quality management and healthcare quality assurance units
- Health information management and data entry departments
Program graduates are qualified to perform duties such as managing patient admission procedures, creating and maintaining medical records, utilizing health information systems, carrying out medical archiving activities, managing healthcare data, and supporting communication processes within healthcare institutions.
Furthermore, our graduates may continue their academic education by transferring to bachelor's degree programs through the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS). This enables them to further develop their careers in various fields, particularly Healthcare Management.
The Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program at Istanbul Kültür University regards the continuous improvement of the quality of its educational activities and adaptation to the evolving needs of the healthcare sector as one of its primary objectives. In this regard, quality assurance activities within the program are conducted through a systematic approach based on the principle of continuous improvement.
The program's educational objectives, program outcomes, course learning outcomes, and curriculum are regularly reviewed by considering feedback from internal and external stakeholders, student evaluations, graduate and employer assessments, as well as national qualifications. The collected data are evaluated by the Program Quality Commission and the Department Board, and necessary improvement initiatives are planned and implemented accordingly.
Within the scope of quality assurance processes, student satisfaction, course achievement levels, internship evaluations, graduate feedback, and employer opinions are systematically monitored. These data are utilized to enhance educational activities and improve program effectiveness. Continuous improvement efforts are carried out based on the Plan–Do–Check–Act (PDCA) cycle.
The Medical Documentation and Secretarial Program is currently continuing its preparation and application processes for accreditation conducted by the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Vocational Education Programs (MEDEK), with the aim of ensuring quality standards in vocational education and strengthening a sustainable culture of quality.
Quality Assurance Activities
- Program Quality Commission Meetings
- Department Board Evaluations
- Internal and External Stakeholder Meetings
- Graduate and Employer Feedback
- Course Achievement Analyses
- Program Evaluation and Improvement Activities
| Head of Program | Assist. Prof. Canan Bulut |
| c.bulut@iku.edu.tr | |
| Tel | (0212) 498 **** |
| Fax | (0212) 543 69 70 |
