What You Should Know:
– While the healthcare industry is abuzz with the potential of AI and ambient speech technology, virtual scribing services continue to play a crucial role in easing the administrative burden on clinicians.
– KLAS’s latest report provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of virtual scribing, highlighting key trends and vendor performance in this developing market.
The Value Proposition of Virtual Scribes
Provider organizations are increasingly turning to virtual scribing services to:
- Improve clinician experience: By reducingthe documentation burden, virtual scribes allow clinicians to focus more on patient care, leading to increased job satisfaction and reduced burnout.
- Enhance efficiency: Scribes assist with documentation during patient encounters, enabling faster chart closures and improved workflow efficiency.
- Reduce costs: Virtual scribing can be a cost-effective alternative to hiring and training in-house scribes.
Key Findings from the KLAS Report
The report evaluated two leading virtual scribing firms: ScribeEMR and IKS Health.
- ScribeEMR: Delivers a consistent customer experience with high client satisfaction. Respondents praised their flat-rate pricing, improved technology, and consistent scribe quality, even amid turnover.
- IKS Health: Drives positive outcomes for most customers, with 100% of respondents reporting decreased burnout. However, some inconsistencies exist due to historical turnover among domestic scribes and occasional scribe absences.
The Rise of AI and a Hybrid Approach
While virtual scribes offer tangible benefits, the rapid evolution of AI-powered documentation solutions, such as ambient speech technology, is catching providers’ attention. Many organizations are exploring or piloting these solutions, seeking further improvements in efficiency and burnout reduction.
However, the report suggests that virtual scribes still hold an edge in certain areas, particularly for specialized medical fields where AI technology is not yet as advanced.
Looking ahead, a hybrid approach combining virtual scribes with AI solutions may become increasingly prevalent. This allows organizations to leverage the strengths of both approaches while tailoring workflows to individual provider preferences and specialty needs.
Factors Impacting Satisfaction
The report highlights that provider satisfaction with virtual scribing services is strongly influenced by:
- Scribe quality: Well-trained scribes who understand clinical workflows and provider preferences contribute significantly to positive outcomes.
- Turnover and consistency: Frequent scribe turnover necessitates additional training and can disrupt workflows, impacting provider satisfaction.
