Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Scribes with PGY-1 Residents on Inpatient Medicine Teams: Effect on Time Spent in Meaningful Work
Heather Hartman-Hall1, Arjun Kanwal1, Lindsay Jory1
1Department of Medicine, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Background:
The high documentation demands and limited time in direct patient care in the first year of internal medicine residency represent concerns for burnout and low job satisfaction in this important year of training.
Objective:
To assess the effect of scribes on the time PGY-1 residents spent on various work tasks.
Methods:
Participants were 24 PGY-1 internal medicine residents on two inpatient medicine teams at one site for 6 months (September 2019-February 2020). Residents were assigned a scribe during the first or second 2 weeks of a 4-week rotation and had no scribe for the other 2 weeks. Time study observers documented resident work activities. Residents ranked the meaningfulness of work activities via survey at the end of each 2-week period.
Results:
Of 24 residents, 18 (75%) completed the survey at both time points. Residents ranked patient care as the most meaningful and EHR work as the least meaningful work activity. EHR work claimed the largest percentage of time, with or without a scribe (mean, 33.2% and 39%, respectively). With a scribe, residents spent significantly less time (-5.8%, P < 0.0001) in EHR work and significantly more time (1.3%, P = 0.0267) in direct patient care and coordinating patient care (3.0%, P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
The presence of a scribe with PGY-1 internal medicine residents on inpatient teams resulted in a significantly greater percentage of total work time spent in work they considered most meaningful and a significantly lower percentage of total work time in work they considered least meaningful.
More Related Videos
06:05The Participant-Reported Implementation Update and Score PRIUS: A Novel Method for Capturing Implementation-Related Data Over Time
Published on: February 19, 2021
05:04Author Spotlight: Evaluating Clinicians' Adoption of Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Cannulation Through Simulation Training
Published on: August 9, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods of Documentation II: POMR
01:21Methods of Documentation III: PIE
01:26Methods of Documentation IV: Focus Charting
It typically involves three columns for recording information:
01:26Guidelines for Nursing Documentation II
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
01:17Flow Sheet
Here's a closer look at the examples of flowsheets commonly used by nurses:
Graphic Sheet Documentation:
01:13Patient-centered Care