Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPHIMS Practice Questions and Study Guide

The first document an analyst should prepare when a physician proposes using an information system to support clinical workflow is the functional requirements document. This document serves as a foundational resource that outlines the needs and expectations of the users, specifying what the system should accomplish in a clear and detailed manner. It captures the specific functionalities required by the clinical staff, ensuring that the system aligns with the workflow requirements of the healthcare setting.

Creating a functional requirements document at this initial stage is crucial because it lays the groundwork for system development by detailing the necessary features and functions that the users will rely on. This document ensures that all stakeholders have a shared understanding of what the system is supposed to deliver, facilitating better communication and minimizing misunderstandings as the project progresses.

In contrast, the other documents listed would typically be developed later in the process. A functional specification document could follow the requirements document as it translates the needs into more detailed system specifications. A technical specification document would include implementation details, and a technical architecture document would define the system's structure and technological framework, both of which are contingent upon the foundational understanding established by the functional requirements.