A medical telescribe is someone who helps doctors and nurses by taking notes during a patient’s visit, but they do it remotely. Instead of writing everything down by hand, telescribes use technology to fill out patient charts. This lets doctors spend more time focusing on their patients and less time on paperwork.
In recent years, more doctors have started using telescribes because they help make healthcare faster and more efficient. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the use of telescribes, is projected to grow significantly by 9% from 2020 to 2030. With new advancements of artificial intelligence (AI), telescribes have become even better at helping doctors with their charts.
Today, medical telescribes are an important tool that makes healthcare easier for both doctors and patients.
Let’s get started!
Medical Telescribes: What Are They?
A medical telescribe is a virtual helper who assists doctors with paperwork and other tasks. They listen in on patient visits through a secure video or audio connection. Telescribes help doctors by taking notes, updating patient charts, and entering information into the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
While they don’t have a medical license, telescribes make a doctor’s job easier by handling administrative tasks. This way, doctors can spend more time focusing on their patients.
Telescribes can also help with things like scheduling appointments, organizing patient information, and even explaining treatment plans to patients. By supporting doctors in these ways, medical telescribes play an important role in improving the overall care patients receive.
How Do Medical Telescribes Work?
Medical telescribes work through real-time communication tools, such as audio or video calls. They listen to the interaction between the doctor and the patient and input the relevant information into the electronic health record (EHR) system. This documentation may include patient histories, physical exams, test results, and doctor recommendations.
Here’s a simple step-by-step breakdown:
- Listening: Telescribes listen to the doctor and patient discussion via a secure connection.
- Documenting: They input the patient’s information into the EHR system in real time.
- Reviewing: Once the doctor’s consultation is over, the telescribe reviews the notes to ensure accuracy.
- Final Approval: The healthcare provider reviews and signs off on the completed records.
History and Trends of Medical Telescribes
Medical telescribes became popular around 2014 as more hospitals and clinics moved to digital record-keeping and telemedicine. Initially, scribes worked physically alongside doctors, but as technology advanced, the telescribe role emerged. Remote scribes became particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic, when telemedicine saw a huge spike in demand. Doctors who used telescribes during this period were able to manage higher patient volumes and offer quality care remotely.
However, as of 2024, new trends are shaping the future of telescribing. For example, AI-powered medical scribes are becoming more prevalent, helping to further reduce the administrative burden on healthcare professionals by automating tasks more efficiently than human telescribes.
Why Do Clinicians Use Medical Telescribes?
Doctors and clinicians use telescribes to reduce the time spent on paperwork, allowing them to focus more on their patients. Without scribes, doctors might spend hours after clinic hours updating patient records, which can lead to burnout. Telescribes help doctors:
Increased Productivity
Telescribes handle routine paperwork, allowing doctors to see more patients and focus on providing better care. Typically, doctors spend nearly 2 hours on EHR tasks. Telescribes cut that down to just 30 minutes.
Cost Savings
Even though telescribes charge for their services, they help doctors save money in the long run. With more time to see patients, doctors can increase the number of appointments.
Accurate Documentation
Telescribes are trained in medical terminology, charting practices, and EHR systems. This ensures they provide quick and accurate documentation while following all legal requirements.
Pitfalls of Medical Telescribes
Although telescribes are helpful, there are several challenges that healthcare providers face when using them:
Privacy concerns
As more doctors began using telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberattacks became a serious problem. In 2020 alone, security incidents affected 31 million patients, with breaches rising by 42%. Medical telescribes are also at risk from hacking, with threats like “Zoombombing” and stealing patient information.
Cost
Hiring a medical telescribe in the U.S. costs around $31,000 a year or $15 an hour. While big hospitals can afford this, smaller practices may struggle to pay for it. Many doctors must pay out of their own pocket for a telescribe, which can be expensive for some.
Time zone issues
Telescribes may work in different time zones, leading to potential communication delays.
Training needs
Not all telescribes are familiar with specific medical terminology or EHR systems, requiring additional time and resources for training.
What is the Solution?
As healthcare advances, the solution to the limitations of medical telescribes is emerging in the form of AI-powered medical scribes. AI scribes offer several benefits:
- Increased efficiency: AI scribes can automatically transcribe and document patient information in real-time, reducing the need for human oversight.
- Cost savings: Unlike human telescribes, AI medical scribes can operate around the clock without fatigue, saving costs in the long run.
- Improved security: AI systems can be equipped with advanced encryption protocols to safeguard patient information and maintain HIPAA compliance.
What are the Downsides of Medical Telescribes?
While telescribes can be invaluable, they do come with downsides:
- Human error: Since they are still human, telescribes can make mistakes, especially in fast-paced environments.
- Lag time: Some telescribe services may not update records instantly, leading to delays in patient documentation.
- Dependence on technology: If the internet connection is poor or technology fails, telescribes might not be able to work effectively.
What Medical Scribes Should Know Before Starting a Career in Medicine?
For those interested in becoming medical scribes, here are a few key things to know:
- Medical terminology is essential: You will need to be familiar with medical terms to accurately document patient information.
- Attention to detail: Being detail-oriented is crucial, as even small errors can lead to significant issues in patient care.
- Communication skills: As a scribe, you will work closely with doctors, and effective communication is vital to ensure accurate documentation.
How To Become a Medical Scribe And Which Training Program Is Right For You?
To become a medical scribe, you generally need:
- A high school diploma (or equivalent).
- Training programs: Some organizations offer medical scribe training programs that cover medical terminology, EHR systems, and documentation techniques.
- On-the-job training: Many scribes receive hands-on training from healthcare providers after being hired.
If you are interested in telescribing, look for programs that offer specific training in virtual scribing and telemedicine protocols.
The Best Way To Find the Right Medical TeleScriber For Your Practice
If you are looking to hire a medical telescribe for your practice, consider the following:
Experience in Your Field
Look for a telescribe who has worked in your specific medical field. Different types of doctors, like surgeons or pediatricians, have different needs. A telescribe with experience in your area will understand the specific medical terms and procedures you use.
Familiarity with EHR Systems
Your telescribe should know how to use the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system that your practice uses. This will make sure they can enter patient information quickly and correctly.
Good Communication Skills
Medical Telescribes need to work closely with doctors. Make sure your telescribe is a good communicator, so they can follow instructions clearly and update records accurately.
Attention to Detail
A good telescribe pays close attention to details, ensuring that patient records are accurate and complete. This helps avoid mistakes that could affect patient care.
Check References
Always ask for references or reviews from previous employers to make sure the telescribe has a good track record. This can give you confidence in their skills and reliability.
Time Zone Considerations
If your telescribe works remotely, make sure they are in a time zone that aligns with your practice hours to avoid delays.
Emerging Alternatives to Medical Telescribes in 2024
In 2024, alternatives to traditional medical telescribes are rapidly emerging, primarily driven by AI and automation technologies. The most prominent solution is the use of AI scribes, which are now capable of performing most telescribe tasks without human intervention. AI-powered systems can transcribe conversations, summarize key medical details, and update the EHR in real-time.
AI scribe systems also offer features like:
- Voice recognition: The AI understands medical terminology and transcribes it with high accuracy.
- Natural language processing (NLP): AI scribes can analyze and extract meaningful information from doctor-patient conversations.
- Integration with EHR: Many AI scribes are designed to seamlessly integrate with existing EHR systems, reducing the need for manual data entry.
AI Scribes: Cost Savings Without the Downsides
AI medical scribes are revolutionizing medical documentation by providing a cost-effective alternative to telescribes. They offer several advantages, such as:
- No human error: AI systems are less prone to mistakes compared to humans.
- Scalability: AI scribes can handle large volumes of documentation, making them ideal for hospitals and busy clinics.
- Real-time documentation: AI medical scribes can document information instantly, improving the efficiency of medical record-keeping.
Can an AI Scribe Really Replace a Medical Telescribe?
While AI scribes are highly effective, there are still some tasks where human telescribes have an edge, such as interpreting complex medical nuances or handling unusual cases that AI may not fully understand. Therefore, AI scribes may not completely replace telescribes, but they can complement them in many situations.
Best Practices for Using an AI Scribe
To get the most out of an AI scribe, follow these best practices:
- Integration with existing systems: Ensure the AI scribe is compatible with your EHR system for seamless data entry.
- Regular updates: Keep your AI software updated to benefit from the latest advancements in medical transcription technology.
- Training: Make sure healthcare providers are trained to work alongside the AI scribe to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
The Bottom Line
Medical telescribes play a critical role in helping doctors manage their workload by handling documentation tasks remotely. However, in 2024, AI scribes are emerging as a cost-effective, efficient alternative that can reduce human error and improve documentation processes.
Here at RevMaxx, we understand the challenges doctors face with paperwork and administrative tasks. Our AI-powered medical scribes are specially designed to reduce physician burnout. By using advanced NLP technology, our AI Medical scribes can automatically document patient information, saving doctors time and reducing their workload.
With RevMaxx, you get real-time, accurate clinical documentation support. Our AI scribes help cut costs, improve data security, and ensure your practice stays up-to-date with the latest technology trends. Now, doctors can spend more time focusing on patients and less on paperwork.
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