“The Use of Medical Scribes in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review and Future Directions”

by Cameron G Shultz and Heather L Holmstrom

Available evidence suggests medical scribes may improve clinician satisfaction, productivity, time-related efficiencies, revenue, and patient-clinician interactions.

Two of 3 studies reported scribes had no effect on patient satisfaction; 2 of 2 reported improved clinician satisfaction; 2 of 3 reported an increase in the number of patients; 2 of 2 reported an increase in the number of relative value units per hour; 1 of 1 reported increased revenue; 3 of 4 reported improved time-related efficiencies; and 1 of 1 reported improved patient-clinician interactions.

"Allocation of Physician Time in Ambulatory Practice: A Time and Motion Study in 4 Specialties"

by Dr. Christine Sinsky

Every hour of face-to-face time with patients, physicians spent nearly two additional hours on electronic health record (EHR) tasks and desk work.

Overall, about 49% of a physician’s workday was consumed by EHR/desk activities, compared to about 27% spent on direct patient care.

“Tethered to the EHR: Primary Care Physician Workload Assessment Using EHR Event Log Data and Time-Motion Observations”

by Arndt BG, Beasley JW, Watkinson MD, et al.

Found that primary care physicians spent more than half of their workday on EHR activities, including documentation and clerical tasks.

Emphasized the impact of extensive EHR use on clinical workflow and potential implications for physician burnout.

“Electronic Health Record Logs Indicate That Physicians Split Time Evenly Between Seeing Patients and Desktop Medicine”

by Tai-Seale M, Olson CW, Li J, et al.

“Desktop Medicine” (e.g., documentation, order entry, EHR management) occupies nearly as much time as direct patient care.

Results underscored the growing administrative burden associated with modern EHRs.

“Estimating the Attributable Cost of Physician Burnout in the United States”

by Shasha Han, Tait D Shafelt et al.

At an organizational level, the annual economic cost associated with burnout related to turnover and reduced clinical hours is approximately $7600 per employed physician each year.

Findings suggest substantial economic value for policy and organizational expenditures for burnout reduction programs for physicians.