If you’ve ever wondered how a medical scribe helps a physician, keep reading. It’s fairly simple: a medical scribe allows physicians and other clinicians to fully concentrate on their patients, taking care of many administrative and clerical tasks so that doctors are able to spend the majority of their time caring for the needs of those being treated. Take a look at seven ways a medical scribe helps a physician:
Taking Notes
First and foremost, a medical scribe helps a physician by being an extra pair of eyes and ears during patient encounters, taking note of the things that occur and are said during a patient/doctor interaction so that an accurate record of the discussion/visit is captured for future study. Such focus allows physicians to focus their own attention on the patient, rather than on data entry.
Documenting Encounters
Medical scribes are also responsible for entering notes into electronic health records (EHR) and keeping all EHRs up-to-date. Without documentation help, physicians spend an average of 16 minutes per patient encounter updating EHRs. Hiring a medical scribe can reduce that time significantly, permitting doctors several extra minutes per encounter to converse with and treat patients.
Verifying Records
And because medical scribes are able to access EHRs during patient encounters, they can verify and research data from patients’ past histories for physicians in real-time, saving the doctor valuable time and energy.
Uploading Lab Results
Similarly, medical scribes take over the responsibility of adding lab and imaging results; currently prescribed medications; familial medical histories; and more to a patient’s record so that the physician can focus on actual treatment rather than data maintenance.
Helping Electronically Process Appointments, Referrals, and Prescriptions
Medical scribes frequently assist doctors with some of their more administrative and clerical tasks, as well, as managing appointments and forwarding referrals, and contacting hospitals and specialists for supplementary information when needed. In some states, medical scribes even help doctors enter orders for prescriptions.
Encouraging Better Billing Practices
Furthermore, medical scribes often prove instrumental in helping doctors improve their billing practices since their documentation notes in the EHRs frequently enable more accurate billing codes and more efficient bill processing.
Allowing for More Patient Visits and Less Physician Burnout
Really, it all boils down to the fact that medical scribes take on responsibilities that leave physicians with additional time to see more patients each day. They perform many of the essential tasks that reduce doctors’ stress while still guaranteeing quality patients. The result: happier, more satisfied doctors who enjoy what they do!
Want to Learn More?
If you’re still wondering “How does a medical scribe help a physician?,” please contact Provider’s Choice Scribe Services. Our medical scribes have a proven track record of helping physicians with a host of duties. We can help you better understand what scribes can do for your own practice, including how they can positively influence your bottom line.
