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Year:: 2023
Contributor:: Olansen, Jon (Creator); Malek, Matthew (Creator); Anandarajah, Gowri (Creator)
Subject:: burnout; Wellness; Quadruple Aim; medical scribe
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26300/qemb-vv04

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Abstract:: Purpose: Healthcare providers appear to be at a greater risk of experiencing symptoms of burnout than those in other workforce sectors. Provider well-being is a critical component of the successful provision of healthcare services as lack thereof has been linked to a range of adverse effects, including but not limited to suicidality, unprofessional behavior, adherence to practice guidelines, and medical errors. The introduction of medical scribes, may prove beneficial to those in practice by decreasing symptoms of burnout as well as alleviating the burden of documentation. The present study investigated the effects of a newly-implemented scribe program on the feelings of burnout and the perceived amount of time spent in the EHR among providers at Thundermist Health Center. Methods: Primary Care Providers at an FQHC completed the Mini-Z burnout assessment tool during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 annual survey cycles. Remote scribes were implemented among a subsection of the providers, starting in mid-2021. Of the possible 262 providers, 217 surveys were completed (82.8%). The average survey scores from the providers with scribes (n = 26) were compared to those without scribes (n = 191). An open-ended question assessed job stressors each year and responses were analyzed for themes. Results: In general, providers with scribes displayed higher job satisfaction compared to those without scribes in 2021 (63% vs. 57%) as well as in 2022 (72% vs. 66%). Providers given scribes showed 14% less intent to leave their current practice in 2021 and 17% less intent in 2022. Generally, they also felt they spent less time in the electronic health record outside of work hours. Subjective free-response questions provided insight into some of the additional factors playing into the efficacy of the program, including that “having a scribe has been extraordinarily helpful” but providers have “struggled to get a scribe above a B level.” Discussion: Provider responses do not appear to delineate a clear improvement in all measures of provider burnout with the introduction of a scribe into their practice although, as noted in prior literature, there may be associated financial benefits to institutions as well as improvements in patient satisfaction, particularly in the practice of emergency medicine.

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Olansen, Jon, Malek, Matthew, and Anandarajah, Gowri, "Effects of Scribes on Provider Wellbeing and Documentation Time at a Federally Qualified Health Center" (2023). Gateways to Medicine, Health Care, and Research. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://doi.org/10.26300/qemb-vv04

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Gateways to Medicine, Health Care, and Research

The Gateways Program at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University provides academically promising, motivated students new pathways to careers in the health sciences. This collection houses scholarly works produced by Master of Science in Medical Sciences (ScM) students …
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Effects of Scribes on Provider Wellbeing and Documentation Time at a Federally Qualified Health Center