The University of Toledo

Scribe Program

A scribe is a medical student who would like to work in a clinical environment to gain early exposure to clinical medicine. The principle duties of a scribe include: free text documentation of chief complaint and history of present illness, documentation of physical exam, past medical history, social history, family history and lab & imaging data. The scribe accompanies the physician into the exam room to hear the patient’s history of present illness and chief complaint. The scribe takes down this information on a pad of paper and reviews it with the physician while exiting the room. The scribe then types this information as a free text note into the patient’s electronic medical record. While in the exam room, the scribe takes notes on the pertinent physical exam findings. The scribe also notes which findings are normal and abnormal. This information is reviewed with the physician while exiting the patient’s room. The scribe then works through a "quick click" documentation screen, which often requires the use of addendums to thoroughly detail the exam. The scribe is expected to alert the physician when lab results or imaging study data are available to be viewed. The scribe can also document all procedures performed, consultations ordered and changes in patient’s course of care and response to treatment. The scribes assist the physicians with improving efficiency in the emergency department because the physicians are able to spend more face time with each patient and can access the next patient more quickly. This aspect of a scribe program improves workflow and patient satisfaction. The scribe adheres to the workflow design established for the emergency department and meets all job performance standards. The scribe performs other duties as assigned.

Additionally, the peer interactions that the medical student scribes are privy to surpass those present in simulated clinical exercises. With a secure, password-protected blog, the members of the scribe program are asked to share their thoughts, experiences, hardships and excitement about scribing within 48 hours of completing each shift. One student may choose to share what she learned about pneumonia in the elderly, while another student might explain how to chart on a trauma patient bought in by Life Flight. With access to the hundreds of entries written by fellow scribes, each participant can share and learn from the experiences of their peers. This early collaboration between medical students is essential to a future of working with colleagues from many realms of medicine. This blog is closely monitored by faculty physicians and Scribe program members. The students will be carefully instructed how to compose these entries without violating HIPAA guidelines in any way.

The Scribe Program was founded in the Fall of 2009 with only 2 members and now has over 60 medical student scribes! We are currently active in the Emergency Department at UTMC, and are being integrated into the following clinics across campus: Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, and Orthopedics with more departments added each month!

The Scribe Program was honored with the title of "Program of the Year" at UTCOM for the 2010-2011 schoolyear. We have also presented posters at two academic conferences in recent years: AAMC conference in Cleveland, OH and another AAMC Careers in Medicine Conference in Miami, FL. We have applied for the medical student service award from Alpha Omega Alpha.  Most recently, the Scribe Program placed 1st out of 180 posters at the 2011 AMA conference on Healthcare in New Orleans, Louisiana. We are fast-growing and can't wait to involve new members!

First year students (Class of 2017) will be eligible to begin working in January, 2014. Shadowing requirements and applications can be submitted as early as November, 2013. MSBS students who are beginning their first year of medical school (Class of 2017) can apply NOW!

What do I get out of it?

1. Participate in clinical interactions with physicians and patients
2. Integrate pre-clinical course work into the clinical setting
3. Leadership skills (we have TONS of leadership opportunities)
4. Develop proficiency in clinical terminology and electronic medical records
5. Foster relationships with physicians, residents and other medical students
6. Exposure to working with an interdisciplinary team
7. Early exposure to different medical specialties
8. Earn elective credit that will be part of your medical school transcript (6 mos. participation)
9. Possible stipend with 12 mos. of scribing

Scribe Program in the news

• "Medical student scribes gain early clinical experience, assist physicians," UT News, 3/10/2011

How do I get involved?

• Scribe Program Preclinical Elective Application Form (PDF, 59 KB)
• Scribes Shadowing Completion Form (PDF, 69 KB)
• Become an officer
  • Attend a business meeting
  • View officer descriptions

Scribes 3rd Annual Pin Ceremony

UTCOM Scribe Program Email: UTScribes@gmail.com 
Scribe Program Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-University-of-Toledo-College-of-Medicine-Scribe-Program/163716243646595

Officers 2013-2014

Faculty Advisor: Kris Brickman, MD

Director: Kavit Shah

Associate Director: Marla Scott

President: Brendan Parker

Vice President: Elizabeth Olds

Secretary: Marissa Watson

Treasurer: Tyler Kaufman

Admissions Chair: Katie Kenneweg

Philanthropy Chair: Humera Hazari

Publicity Chair: Benjamin Duncan

Chair ED: Elizabeth Olds

Vice-Chair ED: Brendan Parker

Chair IM: Elizabeth Hubbard

Vice-Chair IM: Katie Kenneweg

Chair Neuro: Jason Young

Vice-chair Neuro: Laura Prince

Chair Family: Sravya Brahmandam

Vice-Chair Family: Elizabeth hale

Chair Peds: Anastasia Alex

Chair Ortho: Robert Wetzel

Vice-Chair Ortho: Devon LeFever

 

 

Past Officers:

Officers 2012-2013
Faculty Advisor: Kris Brickman, MD
Director: Angela Johnson
Associate Directors: Juan D. Montoya, Kavit Shah, Kirsten Schroeder, Kristen Craig, Megan Lawlor
President: Marla Scott
Vice President: Noah Bryant
Secretary: Julia Roberts
Treasurers: Hooman Golfiez and Chris Johnson
Admissions Chair: Amanda Schroeder
Philanthropy Chair: Krystin Miller
Publicity Chair: Laura Anne Mihalko
Training Chair: Sonya Naganathan
Chair ED: Marla Scott
Vice-Chair ED: Doris Kim
Chair IM: Stephanie Lee
Vice-Chair IM: Noah Bryant
Chair Infectious Disease: Ting Li
Chair Neuro: Shireen Parsai
Vice-Chair Neuro: Hema Bhakta
Chair Family: Meghan Brown
Vice-Chair Family: Hillary Leibler
Chair Peds: Allison McKimm
Vice-Chair Peds: Christine Sutu
Chair Ortho: Ryan Vela, Caitlin Lewis
Vice-Chair: Quoc-Thieu Tran; Amanda Schroeder

Officers 2011-2012     
Faculty Advisor: Kris Brickman, MD
Director: Angela Johnson
Associate Director: Juan D. Montoya
President - Kavit Shah
Vice President - Kirsten Schroeder
Vice-Chair ED - Stephanie Dallas
Vice-Chair Internal Med - Cheryl Chen
Secretary - Stephanie Dallas
Treasurer - Kristen Craig
Admission Chair - Megan Lawlor
Webmaster - Steven Cogorno
Community Outreach Chair - Debra Zauner
Mentorship Chair -  Kate Mellion
Publicity Chair - TBD

Officers 2010-2011
Faculty Advisor: Kristopher Brickman, MD
Program Director/President: Angela Johnson
Vice President: Juan Montoya
Nick Griffith: Financial Chair
Elizabeth Davis: Fundraising Chair
Kavit Shah: Education Chair
Stephanie Dallas: Secretary
Andrea Kim: Publicity Chair