What Are Medical Scribes and How Do They Help Doctors and Patients?

When you visit your doctor's office, you may notice someone else in the room besides your physician - a medical scribe. Medical scribes are becoming increasingly common in healthcare settings, but what exactly do they do, and how do they help both doctors and patients?

The Role of Medical Scribes

Medical scribes are assistants to physicians and other healthcare providers. Their primary role is to document patient visits by entering information into the electronic health record (EHR) system. This includes:

• Patient history

• Physician examination findings

• Test results

• Other pertinent information related to patient care

In addition to documentation, scribes may also assist with tasks such as checking for test results and assigning diagnoses and billing codes. However, the physician is ultimately responsible for reviewing and signing off on all documentation.

Training and Background of Medical Scribes

Many medical scribes are college students or recent graduates looking to gain experience in the healthcare field before pursuing further education, such as medical school or other graduate programs. Some individuals also choose to become full-time professional scribes.

Scribes receive training on proper documentation techniques, medical coding, and billing rules. However, they typically do not have advanced healthcare provider training or certification. As such, scribes should not provide medical advice or deliver care to patients unless they have additional qualifications, such as being a nurse or medical assistant.

Benefits of Using Medical Scribes

The use of medical scribes offers several benefits for both physicians and patients:

1. Increased physician-patient interaction: By handling documentation, scribes allow doctors to spend more time directly communicating with patients.

2. Improved physician productivity: Scribes can help reduce the administrative burden on physicians, enabling them to see more patients or spend more time on complex cases.

3. Enhanced physician satisfaction: With less time spent on documentation, physicians may experience reduced stress and increased job satisfaction.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the use of medical scribes in primary care settings was associated with reductions in time spent on electronic documentation, as well as improvements in physician productivity and work satisfaction.

The Future of Medical Scribes

As technology advances, the role of medical scribes may evolve. Some healthcare organizations are exploring the use of virtual scribes, who document visits remotely using audio recordings or video teleconferencing. Additionally, advances in artificial intelligence and natural language processing may one day automate the documentation process.

However, until documentation requirements are reduced or fully automated, medical scribes will likely continue to play a valuable role in helping physicians focus on what matters most - providing quality patient care.