Electronic Health Record (EHR) solutions are being implemented worldwide in an effort to increase the quality of care delivery and drive efficiencies.  However, in the drive to create these benefits through technology, we create a lack of connection between the clinician and the patient.

By using EHR systems, clinicians can end up wasting too much valuable time in their offices on clerical work as opposed to spending time with their patient.  In using traditional EHRs, they must spend a significant amount of time re-learning how to record information, as it is no longer natural to them.  Anything electronic is perceived as a bit of a nuisance and it is well documented that dissatisfaction is pretty high among clinicians.  Medical records have more or less become a tool to perform functions such as coding, billing, compensation and compliance.

According to an article on TDN.com “Medical Scribes Free Up Doctors for Better Patient Care”, doctors are being so encumbered with using EHR solutions that they are hiring scribes to follow them around, taking notes on the relevant information and allowing the doctors to focus on the patient and their care. One doctor interviewed wants to devote more attention to his patients, even though increased use of electronic medical record-keeping is making that a challenge.  To overcome these challenges, he and other doctors are more often turning to medical scribes.

A doctor contracted to work at a medical centre’s emergency department in the US commented, “When I started (in 1999), hospitals were just setting up computer systems. They were helpful, then the computer systems overwhelmed every process. Having scribes has brought me back to doing more face-to-face patient care.”

The article says medical scribes act as doctors’ secretaries, taking notes, filling out digital patient charts and ordering lab work and other tests while the doctor examines the patient. Doctors have used scribes for years, but their numbers are growing and they are relatively new to many hospitals. They reduce doctors’ after-hours workloads and boost the time they spend with more patients.

Doctors hire their own scribes from external scribe providers, according to this article. The cost is on average between $8 and $10 per hour, according to the employer review website Glassdoor. EHR solutions are intended to increase efficiency and improve the quality of care.  Not create the need for additional staff. The key to a successful electronic solution is to replicate current workflows and practices, so the process remains natural and facilitates uptake and user satisfaction.

All the above are impediments to a successful EHR implementation, ROI realisation and CPOE adoption.  EHRs will only be effective in improving efficiency and quality of care if they are implemented correctly and quickly. 

There is a valid reason to switch to electronic medical records as discussed above.  The problematic nature of implementing and using an EHR is challenging.  Making any EHR solution as natural as possible, enabling the clinician to focus on the patient, is key to its success.  

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Jeff Smoot -  Commercial Director, Sláinte Healthcare



Jeff joined Sláinte as Global Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He has extensive experience in Healthcare, previously working for companies such as Allscripts, Cerner and Fujitsu Technology Solutions. Jeff was awarded a BSBA by the University of Denver and an MBA from the Loyola College in Maryland in the USA, he has responsibility for the sales and marketing strategy throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the UK.

LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/pub/jeffrey-smoot/17/239/5aa

Link: http://tdn.com/news/local/medical-scribes-freeing-up-doctors-for-better-patient-care/article_ec0d5450-d173-11e3-aeb2-0019bb2963f4.html