Internist Claims: 2 New Patients Daily Make Scribe Program Profitable In A Year

Internist Claims: 2 New Patients Daily Make Scribe Program Profitable In A Year

EHR documentation can be burdensome, reducing face-to-face patient time and causing burnout. One solution for physicians to overcome this burden is to hire a scribe. Scribes can reduce physician documentation time, improve workplace satisfaction and enhance care quality. But can scribes really contribute to profitability? The answer is a big YES! Well, how many visits are needed to make a scribe program pay off? To make a scribe program profitable in a year, physicians must see 2 new or 3 returning patients a research led by an eminent Internist, Neda Laiteerapong claims. In this blog post we will explore her research findings, insights on making scribe programs profitable, and also tips for successful implementation.

Dr. Neda Laiteerapong’s Research Findings

A research led by Dr. Neda Laiteerapong, a board certified Internist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago shows that scribes can add significant value to a medical practice. They give physicians more time to care for patients, accept new ones and schedule more return visits. This research also demonstrates that the initial investment in hiring a scribe can be recouped within a year, potentially leading to increased profits thereafter. Laiteerapong and her team evaluated the economic impact of hiring scribes across 30 specialties, including physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Assuming Medicare reimbursement for all patient visits, they calculated that 1.3 new patient visits or 2-3 return visits per day would be needed to break even within a year. The study also highlighted that scribes can increase physician availability by up to 20%, which roughly amounts to the time needed to see 2 or 3 additional patients.

Insights Shared By Dr. Neda Laiteerapong

Dr. Neda Laiteerapong provides some insights on how scribes can improve patient care, prevent burnout, and ensure a sustainable physician workforce.

Firstly, “The idea of having to see more patients can be quite intimidating, but the intent is to devote that time to being more attentive to the patient”. “With a scribe, physicians can engage fully with their patients without the distraction of typing and gazing at their computer”. Secondly, scribe support can actually help a physician from saying “I’m contemplating retirement. I’m choosing to quit my job”. Lastly, “Without help for note-taking, there’s a risk of losing a big chunk of physician workforce”.

Tips By Dr. Neda Laiteerapong For Successful Implementation Of A Scribe Program

Let’s see some of the tips shared by Dr. Neda Laiteerapong for implementing a scribe program successfully in any medical practice.

It’s neither fair nor reasonable for physicians to pay for their own scribes without reaping the financial benefits, as scribes enhance productivity, patient satisfaction, and the quality of care provided.

Don’t expect more visits right away. Allow physicians to adjust gradually. Using scribes makes it so easy for most physicians that they’ll typically add one or two visits on their own.

Offer scribes first to highly productive physicians to maintain their efficiency and intrinsic motivation.

Scribes can be virtual, as they eliminate the need for an extra person in the room

Conclusion

So there you have it! Dr. Neda Laiteerapong's research emphasizes the immense value of scribes in enhancing profitability within a year. Yes, scribes can be profitable in a year with just 2 new or 3 returning patients daily, reducing EHR burdens and preventing physician burnout. Implementing scribe programs with careful consideration of Dr. Laiteerapong's insights and tips can lead to improved patient care, physician satisfaction, and sustainable practice growth.

Are you a physician looking to lighten your documentation load and improve patient care? Hire Scribe4Me's virtual scribe today! We have a team of dedicated scribes trained in different specialties, each familiar with specialty-specific terminology and documentation requirements. Hire one today! With just 2 new or 3 returning patients a day, you can recoup costs within a year!