medical scribe or?

[F#&$#^&&@theMCAT]

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Hey everyone.. I am applying June 2015 cycle. I just got offered a job as a medical scribe. There a a handful of DO's I would be working with. I am currently working as a research analyst and unsure if I should accept the scribe position. What do you guys? The pay for the scribe position would be much less but i am more concerned with the experience I'd receive etc...

Thanks!

 

[bcurtis]

Would it be possible to do the scribe job as part time or even PRN? A scribe job, as little as it may be, is still more "medical" experience than a research analyst. You may ever spark a relationship with a physician whom a great LOR could come from?

 

[MedNation907]

I vote take the scribe position. I scribed in FM with a DO and an MD which was looked favorably upon during interviews.

The only situation that would warrant hesitation is if you will be scribing in the ER, otherwise scribing [generally] allows for more intimacy between docs and patients -- something very valuable for yourself as well as admissions.

 

[xBODOMx]

Hey everyone.. I am applying June 2015 cycle. I just got offered a job as a medical scribe. There a a handful of DO's I would be working with. I am currently working as a research analyst and unsure if I should accept the scribe position. What do you guys? The pay for the scribe position would be much less but i am more concerned with the experience I'd receive etc...

Thanks!

Absolutely accept it for sure. I had several years of research and was asked only once about it. Unfortunately, DO schools give zero cares about research most of the time, but it's still a good EC to have.

 

[xBODOMx]

I vote take the scribe position. I scribed in FM with a DO and an MD which was looked favorably upon during interviews.

The only situation that would warrant hesitation is if you will be scribing in the ER, otherwise scribing [generally] allows for more intimacy between docs and patients -- something very valuable for yourself as well as admissions.

I disagree. You get significantly more beneficial exposure as an ED scribe, as you see every complaint and get to meet several specialists. But scribing in general is amazing.

 

[MedNation907]

I disagree. You get significantly more beneficial exposure as an ED scribe, as you see every complaint and get to meet several specialists. But scribing in general is amazing.

To each his own. The intimacy statement I made, although I share that view, was a comment from my interviewer. Considering the common Osteopathic philosophy it makes sense that most would value building relationships with docs and patients -- not particularly common grounds in the ED.

 

[F#&$#^&&@theMCAT]

Thanks guys- i agree!

 

[futuredoc331]

To each his own. The intimacy statement I made, although I share that view, was a comment from my interviewer. Considering the common Osteopathic philosophy it makes sense that most would value building relationships with docs and patients -- not particularly common grounds in the ED.

I don't see why you don't think relationships can be built between a scribe and an ED doc. I am essentially connected at the hip with the doc for 36-48 hours a week. I see them more than I see my kids. This has allowed me to build decent relationships with several physicians so far. Other scribes who have been there longer have even better relationships with them. Some of the docs even keep in touch with scribes who are now in professional school.

I can see where you're coming from about patient relationships, but a scribe really isn't going to be talking with a patient very much in any setting.

 

[MedNation907]

I don't see why you don't think relationships can be built between a scribe and an ED doc. I am essentially connected at the hip with the doc for 36-48 hours a week. I see them more than I see my kids. This has allowed me to build decent relationships with several physicians so far. Other scribes who have been there longer have even better relationships with them. Some of the docs even keep in touch with scribes who are now in professional school.

I can see where you're coming from about patient relationships, but a scribe really isn't going to be talking with a patient very much in any setting.

It was just a generalized statement, some ER scribes aren't assigned to only 1 doc. Those I know in my area working ER barely even notice which doctor they are working for throughout their shift. Whereas me, in FM, spent months between 2 docs. They shared patients and I knew their history just by hearing their name. Do you understand the contrast I'm making? Perhaps subtle, perhaps not the case for everyone, but true if making a generalized evaluation.

Point: months>hours
Also: both are great positions!

EDIT: Also, never said that. Re-read for confirmation.

 

[futuredoc331]

There is no sense turning this into a debate.

OP should take the scribe position. It will be an excellent experience whether in the ED or otherwise.

 

[LuluMed]

I scribed for 3 years. Part of which was during my gap year while I was going on interviews. I have gotten a lot of comments and questions about the position during my interviews (all of which were extremely positive). So, I think the scribing would be highly beneficial to you. I also highly suggest it for you because I learned so much in terms of medical terminology and just the flow of a clinic and how doctors interact with patients. There are always a few physicians that will be around to help you out and will be super nice.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions about scribing!! happy to help

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

,.,.,

 

[wakeforestkid12]

Do it!! I'm scribing right now in the ED and am going to start medical school. I can't even begin to describe all the cool procedures and clinical skills that I've observed and learned. Even better, once I informed the docs that I was accepted, they were more than willing to teach me things and explain them to me. I've seen so many varying diseases and clinical presentation of diseases and I really think that'll help me out in the future! Good luck!

 

[Doghead]

Hey everyone.. I am applying June 2015 cycle. I just got offered a job as a medical scribe. There a a handful of DO's I would be working with. I am currently working as a research analyst and unsure if I should accept the scribe position. What do you guys? The pay for the scribe position would be much less but i am more concerned with the experience I'd receive etc...

Thanks!

I say Scribing trumps everything. Because of my Scribing experiences, I had so much to talk about in my med school apps and interviews. During a mock case study in one group interview, I was even able to out-preform a PA that was in my group. It also led to many invaluable LORs and many shadowing opportunities. I tribute it as the single, most important factor in my multiple acceptances and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

 

[pnwloving]

Definitely recommend scribing. The pay leaves something to desired, but it will beat any exposure you'll receive elsewhere.

As far as the ED, there are a lot of scenarios that you'll witness that you do not see in FM clinics including end of life care, patients coding, various social stressors on patients that most of us really don't consider yet. Definitely valuable experiences that you would not receive otherwise.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

..

 

[MedNation907]

If you have over a couple hundred hours of shadowing spread across various specialties, would you still say to do scribing? Or is it best to get some first-hand clinical experience by volunteering at more free health clinics that focus on the underserved areas?

That's tough. I'd say they are comparable in terms of boosting a DO application, but I think you may get more perspective/experience (and money) from the scribe position. I had more discussion over my scribing experience than any volunteering during interviews, but none of my volunteering hours were technically 'underserved'.

And shadowing, for me, did not even compare to scribing. I wouldn't say it's a fair substitute. Also, scribing is still first-hand clinical experience -- perhaps more 'clinical' than volunteering would offer, honestly.

 

[F#&$#^&&@theMCAT]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I have chosen to accept the scribe position i was offered! Wish everyone best of luck

 

[ns1990]

Hey guys, Am probably in the wrong thread to ask this but i would really appreciate if some one can help me out here.
Are scribe applications from international medical graduates accepted in the US?
Do they sponsor for work Visa?
I really could not find another thread related to this, so kindly do respond if anyone got an idea about this. Thank you

 

[More_Medz]

I think the best bet would be to contact the scribe companies directly.

I work as a scribe, and most of our employees come from within the state, so I am not sure how an international applicantion would work

 

[jtm0021]

Scribing is great, the companies leave much to be desired though. You will have a leg up on other students in medical school IMO. Low pay, commuting to rural sites w/o compensation, non-existent managment and terrible scheduling are some drawbacks I can think of. I can only speak from experience on mine, but I hear the same for most of them. Do it part time.