Problem #1: Too Much Time Spent on Bureaucratic Tasks
Too much time spent on bureaucratic tasks is at the top of the list of contributors to physician burnout with 53% of respondents affirming it negatively impacts them in a survey by the American Medical Association (AMA). The number of administrative burdens placed on physicians can be overwhelming but such efforts are crucial to managing the business of healthcare and collecting reimbursements.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have specific documentation guidelines in patient charts that are required for encounters to qualify for reimbursement. When physicians spend extra time focusing on capturing the information needed for payment, it can take away from their ability to focus on treating the patient. Medical Economics states, “A December 2016 study in Annals of Internal Medicine found that physicians in outpatient settings spent about 27% of their day on direct clinical face time with patients, but 49% on EHRs and desk work.”
IKS Health Virtual Medical Scribing not only helps clinicians offload their administrative burdens and improve physician wellness but can also help improve the patient experience. Virtual scribes shoulder the load of the electronic health record (EHR) document capture responsibilities and act as the physician’s personal assistant. Scribes can prompt the clinician before or during the patient visit on when they might be due for routine procedures or to check in on something discussed in a previous visit. By documenting all the needed care follow-up and reimbursement influencing details in the documentation for the clinicians, their help improves same day chart closures, reduces claim denials, and allows the clincian to focus on the visit instead of the notes.
Reduce your administrative burden and physician burnout with IKS Virtual Medical Scribing.
Read more about the Top 5 Causes of Physician Burnout.
By Jaime Christian, Director of Virtual Scribes Client Success
Jaime has been a leader of the Medical Scribe industry for over 12 years. She started as an in-person medical scribe in a busy Emergency Department. She has worked with health systems across the United States to implement scribe programs for Ambulatory Practices, Emergency Departments, Inpatient Hospitalist Groups, and Urgent Cares. Jaime's experience in over 50+ EHRs, most medical specialties, along with her passion for improving provider wellness, has helped shape IKS Health's Virtual Scribe Program. She believes that a well-trained and efficient scribe can benefit any provider. As one of the founders of IKS' Virtual Scribe Service, Jaime has strategically partnered to build and transform this program to deliver a high-quality service.
