Analysis of Medical Scribing Experience Reveals No Disparities

Abstract

Abstract
Addressing the persistent challenge of underrepresented minorities (URM) in the medical field necessitates innovative approaches to guide URM students through pre-medical education and into medical school. Medical scribing presents a potential avenue for this purpose, involving individuals assisting physicians in real-time documentation within electronic medical records. To investigate this potential, a pilot survey study was conducted to examine the experiences of individuals working as medical scribes, specifically looking for disparities related to URM status. Out of 248 scribes, 159 (64% response rate) completed an online survey, covering demographics, scribing roles and tenure, and scribing experiences. The survey findings revealed that a significant majority (>80%) of participants found their experience as a medical scribe to be insightful in understanding the clinician's role, providing valuable mentorship, and strengthening their commitment to a medical career. Importantly, there were no discernible differences in reported experiences between URM-identified scribes and their majority counterparts. While the efficacy of medical scribing as a pathway for URM individuals to enter medical school remains to be fully determined, these initial results indicate a positive experience for URM individuals engaging in medical scribing.