The Qualities of a Good Scribe
Michael Singer, MD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at UT Health Science Center, San Antonio and Managing Partner of Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates in San Antonio has used scribes for years. The number one quality he looks for in a potential scribe is leadership. “Not only does the scribe need to be a leader, in the sense that he needs to be articulate and unafraid to ask questions, but the scribe also needs to lead the doctor in the right direction,” he notes. In addition, an ideal scribe would demonstrate the ability to multitask, as well as possess some medical experience and understanding. Dr. Singer’s practice offers a robust training program for new scribes, as well as lectures every Friday. “Our goal is to get the entire staff, including scribes, proficient at the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) level,” he explains.

Increasing Efficiencies and Improving Care
Dr. Singer’s practice follows a “visual clinic” program, so staff members know exactly where each patient is at any time, as well as how long he has been waiting to be seen. “The scribe literally tells the doctor where to go and who needs to be seen next,” he says. During the visit, the scribe documents the patient’s exam and also facilitates discussion. This is valuable to the surgeon AND the patient. “The patient feels that his time with the physician is of higher quality, because both parties can focus on the patient’s vision concerns. Furthermore, because scribes take care of the documentation that physicians were previously handling during patient visits, the surgeon’s time is freed up a bit, allowing more patients to be seen,” Dr. Singer says. The scribe also provides improved accuracy for a patient’s care. “We don’t miss things, because the scribe is there to ensure that everything has been thoroughly covered,” says Dr. Singer.

Additionally, scribes are important for meaningful use documentation. With the advent of EHR systems, it’s increasingly important for practices to demonstrate that they’re maintaining certain measurement thresholds and quality-of-life metrics. As Dr. Singer explains, “Using the scribe properly — meaning he is thoroughly and accurately documenting the different statistics and tests of each patient, based on the patient’s diagnosis and history — helps ensure that our practice will meet the criteria to qualify for meaningful use.”

Invaluable Asset
Scribes are becoming an increasingly valuable member of any healthcare team. They’re an asset to the medical practice, because they increase efficiency through collaboration with the physician. And, most importantly, they positively impact patient care, allowing the entire staff to put the needs of the patient first.