Here's what doctors think about medical scribes

John Rawling, MD

Madison Emergency Physicians President

"Madison Emergency Physicians implemented a scribe program two years ago. Scribes have been extremely beneficial to our group in many ways. Our chart completion percentages have dramatically improved. Physician job satisfaction has palpably increased. We have been able to absorb increases in patient volume without changes to physician staffing or sacrificing door-to-doctor or ED throughput times. Costs of a scribe program are very small relative to the potential benefits for patients and physicians. I highly recommend the use of scribes in the ED."

Russell Sharpswain, DO

St. Clare Hospital Medical Director

"Having a scribe has changed the way I work in the ED. Not only does the scribe record the immediate patient encounter, but they help with the documentation of testing results, consultations, and patient reassessment. I find myself looking more forward to shifts in which I have a scribe compared to those which I don't. And the time saved after the shift is over in completing charts is significantly decreased, a bonus no physician could turn down."

Anthony Callisto, MD FAAEM

Medical Director, Emergency Services St. Mary's Hospital, Madison
Flight Physician, UW MedFlight

"At St. Mary's Hospital, our scribes allow us to focus on patient care while decreasing throughput times. By recording in real-time, we have achieved decreases in chart completion times, more accurate charting, and better patient satisfaction. Scribes are especially useful during surges as they disconnect our physicians from the computer, which helps to decrease wait times during busy hours. Having active, inquisitive scribes makes our job much more satisfying in general."

Quinn Holzheimer, DO

St. Mary's Hospital Associate Medical Director

"I was hesitant at first when we started our scribe program but I have firsthand seen the improvement in our groups' charting, billing, and chart completion rates. Now I am a believer!"