Accurate record-keeping is critical in the health care industry. However, a doctor splitting their attention between the person they’re treating and a computer can result in physician burnout and poor-quality care. Medical providers can now spend more one-on-one time with their patients, thanks to the popularization of on-site and virtual scribes. The guide below explains the benefits of each option.

On-Site Scribes

Rather than spending tedious hours handling paperwork and data, many doctors have opted to use a medical scribe. This assistance allows them to be more attentive and provide more personalized care. An on-site recorder is physically present and essentially shadows physicians throughout the day, entering data and taking notes during doctor-patient interactions. Providers often ask their scribe to locate an individual’s relevant medical history as well.

There are some downsides to having an in-person scribe. Some patients prefer privacy when speaking with their doctor, especially when the visit includes sensitive information or physical exams. If someone else is present, they could feel judged and hesitate to share the symptoms or problems that providers need to know. 

A hospital can encounter problems if the scribe is unavailable. When this occurs, their duties return to the physician. Additionally, most on-site medical scribes are students seeking experience, so their work is short-term, and the turnover rate is high.

Virtual Scribes

Virtual scribes are online, fully remote alternatives to on-site individuals. Clinicians connect with these professionals, usually with a tablet, via live audio or video. The recorders can then listen in and enter data in real time. They provide the same medical documentation services and benefits as an in-person scribe but without privacy, turnover, and availability issues.

Since they are not physically in the room, patients are more likely to feel comfortable and at ease, resulting in better quality care and a more trusting relationship between doctor and patient. This also lowers concerns of exam room crowding and reduces the risk of spreading illnesses such as COVID-19. 

Health care facilities also do not need to utilize their own time and resources to hire and train these professionals, as their companies have already screened and instructed them. Virtual medical care providers also don’t have the turnover problems that occur with medical students. Additionally, if one scribe is unavailable, another at the company can quickly fill in for them. These perks ensure health care professionals have consistent access to discreet, highly trained scribes whenever needed.

With virtual scribes, your hospital can benefit from an enhanced medical documentation process, ease the burden on doctors and staff, and improve patient care quality. My Virtual Scribe of Camarillo, CA, has a thoroughly screened and extensively trained team of medical specialists to transcribe for and assist busy physicians throughout the U.S. and Canada. All medical scribes are HIPAA-certified and committed to complete confidentiality and accuracy in patient records. Learn more about their services online, and call (310) 919-4278 to request a consultation.