How a Virtual Scribe Program Improves Physicians’ EHR Experience, Documentation Time, and Note Quality

Abstract

Summary In response to increasingly complex work–life integration challenges and rising concerns regarding physician burnout, Yale New Haven Health Northeast Medical Group implemented a virtual scribe program for ambulatory clinics. Virtual scribes are remotely located people who participate in visits via speakers and microphones placed throughout clinics to assist physicians with documentation and other electronic health record (EHR)–related activities. Physician candidates met criteria for heavy EHR usage. EHR audit logs were retrospectively analyzed 2 years into the program to determine the virtual scribes’ impacts on physician EHR use and to note composition before and after adoption of scribe services. Most physicians responded well to virtual scribes, with improvements in their documentation time and quality, whereas a minority did not experience these changes. Next steps will focus on targeting physicians who may be more likely to benefit from scribe services, realize efficiency gains, and improve their satisfaction with the work environment.