Hospitals across the country may be considering adopting medical scribes to relieve physicians of different burdens. Although the role of a scribe may seem tedious, the position can require an extensive background in the medical field. It can also be quite challenging for beginners.
Below, two scribes describe the most difficult parts of being a scribe as well as how they think the role will evolve.
Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What is the most challenging aspect of being a scribe?
Katie Hines: The initial scribe learning curve can be difficult, particularly if you are entering the job without past medical experience. Scribes have to understand the provider's mind, and this is a skill that takes time and exposure on the floor to fully develop. Being able to predict your provider's next steps is crucial to success at the job, and this goes beyond simple regurgitation of the observed interaction between provider and patient.
Yomally Melendez: The most challenging aspect of becoming a scribe is adapting quickly to become proficient in medical terminology. The exposure to this environment prior to becoming a scribe is limited for most. It’s a lot to take in, but once immersed it is rewarding.
Q: How do you foresee your role changing in the next few years?
KH: I foresee the scribe — or care team assistant — continuing to evolve as the healthcare industry evolves. With a pivot to value-based care, our teams have set their sights on helping our providers achieve their goal metrics. Some have extended their reach to the patient bedside by taking on administrative and clinical tasks in addition to documentation. This is a flexible role with room for continued innovation in an industry that strives for both quality and efficiency.
YM: How I view my role changing in the next few years is open ended. I initially wanted to go into the healthcare field to become a physician assistant. This continues to be a goal; however, moving through multiple levels of responsibility has been rewarding to say the least. I look forward to continuing to grow, but the flexibility of my role allows me to tackle multiple goals at once.
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