Are there any disadvantages to becoming a medical scribe?

Are there any disadvantages to being a Medical Scribe?

A medical scribe is a highly rewarding career that offers very valuable experience for aspiring doctors, but this one is not without its challenges. Below, we will touch on some potential downsides of a medical scribe, so you may better make a well-informed choice about whether or not to pursue this role.

1. Physically Demanding Work Environment

Another aspect of medical scribing can be standing for long hours, at times in a busy or stressful environment. You may often accompany doctors to view patients and complete their documentation of visits. This will lead you to become tired physically pretty quickly, especially for new health care professionals or those who do not stand for long hours.

2. Accuracy and Efficiency Requirement

As a medical scribe, you will record information about patients in real-time. This calls for solid attention to detail and quick learning of the rate of the physician you work with. Any mistake in documentation can affect patient care; therefore, accuracy is quite important. To others, such pressure to constantly maintain quality records can be suffocating.

3. High Stress Levels and Workload

Since medical scribes help physicians in handling overcrowding patient populations, they usually undergo very intense workdays. There is usually a lot of workload without much time for breaks within the busy schedules. Besides, working in a clinical environment puts scribes in a situation of handling emergency situations and time-sensitive tasks, which would prove stressful.

4. Least Career Advancement in Scribing

Medical scribing is a great option for people interested in health-related careers, yet there may not be much opportunity to advance from the medical scribe position itself. A scribe seeking long-term advancement may require further education or training to be deployed into other healthcare careers.

5. Exposition to Tough Situations

Medical scribes interact with both patients and healthcare providers; this means they are often exposed to distressing or traumatic situations. This would include helping when serious health diagnoses have been received, emergency cases, or when people discuss end-of-life. Long-term, the impact of these events may emotionally drain a person, and this is something to consider when deciding to become a scribe.

6. Lower Pay for Entry-Level Positions

Medical scribing is typically an entry-level job, and the hourly rate tends to be more recessionary than some of the other healthcare jobs. While most positions pay a decent hourly wage, in many cases, those in these roles perceive pay as less commensurate with stress levels and workload, especially in regions with a high cost of living.

While medical scribing has its downsides, it remains a valuable experience for those in pursuit of healthcare careers. The role allows for exposure to patient care, healthcare documentation, and medical terminology that are all really important for advancement up the chain in medicine or other health-related disciplines. Knowing your pros and cons can help you come up with a well-considered decision on whether this dynamic and rewarding role is suitable for you.

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