Getting the Predoc Back Into Documentation: Students as Scribes During Their Clerkship

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Practice
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Investigating the role of medical students as scribes in clinical settings.
• Assessing the impact on student learning, medical practice, and preceptor experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the perceptions of medical students, preceptors, and staff regarding student scribing.
• Determine the benefits and challenges of integrating student scribes into healthcare practices.

Main Methods:

• Third-year medical students and preceptors received specialized scribe training.
• Questionnaires and qualitative feedback were collected from students, preceptors, and staff.
• Perceptions of impact on learning, practice, and efficiency were assessed.

Main Results:

• High positive perception (4.7/5) of student scribing across all groups.
• Students reported increased engagement and improved learning environment without detracting from clinical learning.
• Preceptors and staff noted enhanced student engagement and no negative impact on time management or practice efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Student scribing offers significant benefits for medical education and clinical practice.
• Integration of student scribes into electronic medical record documentation should be encouraged.
• Training students in a limited scribe role is valuable for third-year medical education.