Should i quit scribbing?

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Well, the title thread says "scribbing" ... so I vote yes.

Real talk: don't get a LOR from these people. It doesn't sound like it will be good.

Sorry I caught the error in scribing after I posted it. :/
Okay was feeling the same way. However no 2 weeks notice ?
 
I'm sorry to hear about your struggles; it sounds like the workplace environment could potentially be toxic. Not many would fault you for quitting, but perhaps I could give you some advice regardless.

There are very few doctors who will want you to take down everything they discuss. Most only typically want the most pertinent information from their specialty. If it's from another specialty, it should have some relevance to the chief complaint. What I find more concerning, though, is the lack of specific feedback from the physicians. I don't know where the toxic comments are coming from, but you could potentially ask the providers for this feedback. All of the physicians I've worked with have made it clear what they wanted me to do differently.

But again, you do you. If you feel you've grown tired of scribing, you can move on and find something different.
 
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So i have been a scribe for about 5 months now. I honestly like it, its literally the best experience I've ever gotten (medical wise). However , I believe i wont last long at this job. I have gotten a total of 2 write ups (performance reviews) in which have been bad. The 3 doctors i scribe for have stated in the write ups that "my scribing needs improvement", but have not specified what exactly needs to be improved. Before I get trashed for being a "cry baby", i literally write exactly what they say (my spelling may be off, but there's always google for that), and even if i miss something, they review the note over with me after seeing the patient; sometimes correcting me on some information that i may have missed in the room but mostly they give the OK notice to sign the note for them.


They have paired me with several scribes since the first write up for "retraining". Since , then i have switched up my styles to resemble the other scribes who have been for over 3+ years. Still it is not enough, which resulted in my second write up about a month ago.
Reason why im currently sticking it out is b/c of the LOR from one of them (i only have 2 [charity and Ochem research prof] so far and need at least 3 or more). At this point, im not even sure i want a LOR from that doctor ( He might screw me over in the application wise and i wont even know).

Current Activities: Studying for the MCAT, Volunteering at clinics , Charity work, and this full-time job.

Recently, they took me off the schedule for 2 weeks without any notice, but placed me back on when i called and asked why i wasn't on there ( due to someone calling off).

Should I just quit after i find a replacement (no 2 weeks notice or actually give my 2 weeks notice )?
It sounds as though you aren't listening to suggestions for improvement. I have trained scribes and I have heard similar issues from new scribes. Usually the problem is they do not truly take to heart the concerns and suggestions of the physicians and trainers. You need to be mindful of your actions and make doubly sure you make changes when they are requested of you. That is, if you continue. I would only ask for a letter if your relations at work improve. Don't use a letter you have from them if you are performing poorly.

Accepted MD Class of 2022
 
it sounds like the workplace environment could potentially be toxic

How is it "toxic" to be told your scribing needs improvement and then get written up for poor performance when you don't improve? "I literally write exactly what they say and my spelling may be off." I'm a scribe and that to me is a huge red flag. You're not supposed to write exactly what they say, you use your judgement to write the pertinent stuff in the note. Spelling errors are absolutely inexcusable and it seems like OP's notes are plentiful with them considering they couldn't spell "scribing" right in the title of this post.
OP is a poor performer and it has been made clear to them. It doesn't seem to be a systemic problem as there are long term scribes working there. Calling it "toxic" is just an excuse and a remnant of us being part of the participation trophy generation: "performance doesn't matter as long as you're trying"


OP: Your performance is not up to par and it seems like they are trying to push you out given they are no longer scheduling you shifts. Do not get a LOR from here. Figure out what went wrong and don't let it happen at your next job.
 
How is it "toxic" to be told your scribing needs improvement and then get written up for poor performance when you don't improve? "I literally write exactly what they say and my spelling may be off." I'm a scribe and that to me is a huge red flag. You're not supposed to write exactly what they say, you use your judgement to write the pertinent stuff in the note. Spelling errors are absolutely inexcusable and it seems like OP's notes are plentiful with them considering they couldn't spell "scribing" right in the title of this post.
OP is a poor performer and it has been made clear to them. It doesn't seem to be a systemic problem as there are long term scribes working there. Calling it "toxic" is just an excuse and a remnant of us being part of the participation trophy generation: "performance doesn't matter as long as you're trying"


OP: Your performance is not up to par and it seems like they are trying to push you out given they are no longer scheduling you shifts. Do not get a LOR from here. Figure out what went wrong and don't let it happen at your next job.
So how is calling someone a "cry baby" acceptable conduct? Even if the OP were complaining in a way that wasn't flattering like the name would suggest, assuredly there are better ways to point this out than by namecalling. His scribing likely is below par in some respect, which I had suggested in my reply regarding the length of his charts. I'm surprised you didn't notice this.

And I don't know exactly what the OP's work situation is, or whether it's toxic, nor do you. Aside from the length of the notes, you don't know what their notes look like, the extent of their spelling mistakes, or some of their specific deficits either. I suggested the OP get clearer feedback, so that they could better understand what to improve on.
 
So how is calling someone a "crybaby" acceptable conduct? Even if the OP were complaining in a way that wasn't flattering like the name would suggest, assuredly there are better ways to point this out than by namecalling. Their scribing likely is below par in some respect, which I had suggested in my reply regarding the length of his charts. I'm surprised you didn't notice this.

And I don't know exactly what the OP's work situation is, or whether it's toxic, nor do you. Aside from the length of the notes, you don't know what their notes look like, the extent of their spelling mistakes, or some their specific deficits either.

Whoever called OP a "crybaby"? Lol. Perhaps you need to read the post again. He said "crybaby" because he didn't want us to call him one, not because someone at work called him it.
 
How is it "toxic" to be told your scribing needs improvement and then get written up for poor performance when you don't improve? "I literally write exactly what they say and my spelling may be off." I'm a scribe and that to me is a huge red flag. You're not supposed to write exactly what they say, you use your judgement to write the pertinent stuff in the note. Spelling errors are absolutely inexcusable and it seems like OP's notes are plentiful with them considering they couldn't spell "scribing" right in the title of this post.
OP is a poor performer and it has been made clear to them. It doesn't seem to be a systemic problem as there are long term scribes working there. Calling it "toxic" is just an excuse and a remnant of us being part of the participation trophy generation: "performance doesn't matter as long as you're trying"


OP: Your performance is not up to par and it seems like they are trying to push you out given they are no longer scheduling you shifts. Do not get a LOR from here. Figure out what went wrong and don't let it happen at your next job.

When I said I write what they say , I meant I write what they tell me to write on there , and along with the patients complaints that matters to the visit.

Your really going to attack me for mispelling scribing .. clap clap my dude.

But I appreciate the constructive criticism. I will work on it .
 
I'm sorry to hear about your struggles; it sounds like the workplace environment could potentially be toxic. Not many would fault you for quitting, but perhaps I could give you some advice regardless.

There are very few doctors who will want you to take down everything they discuss. Most only typically want the most pertinent information from their specialty. If it's from another specialty, it should have some relevance to the chief complaint. What I find more concerning, though, is the lack of specific feedback from the physicians. I don't know where the toxic comments are coming from, but you could potentially ask the providers for this feedback. All of the physicians I've worked with have made it clear what they wanted me to do differently.

But again, you do you. If you feel you've grown tired of scribing, you can move on and find something different.

Thanks for the feedback, I seriously appreciate. I do believe theres probably fault on my end .. which I am not denying it . Any more advice that could help me in the future?
 
Thanks for the feedback, I seriously appreciate. I do believe theres probably fault on my end .. which I am not denying it . Any more advice that could help me in the future?
No problem, and it's def good that you acknowledge that.

To be honest with you, I think a few of your posts might be indicative of some issues with writing. It's not like my forum spelling and grammar are perfect either, god no, but it might be smart to ask your Chief/QA associate if they're seeing any patterns of writing errors.
 
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how is your chart completion speed? are you proactive in your charting (anticipating orders, reminding providers of certain parts of the charts that aren't complete, etc) or do you simply do things are you are told?
 
Thanks for the feedback, I seriously appreciate. I do believe theres probably fault on my end .. which I am not denying it . Any more advice that could help me in the future?
Give your two weeks notice like the adcom mentioned and look for a different healthcare job, or just a different job in general. Getting fired would be really bad.
 
Thanks for the feedback, I seriously appreciate. I do believe theres probably fault on my end .. which I am not denying it . Any more advice that could help me in the future?

At any point during either of these performance reviews, were you given specific feedback of which aspects of your performance were not up to par? If not, this was something you should have asked for, preferably after the first review. If you don't understand what it is that isn't meeting expectations (and it's clear that you didn't, or there wouldn't have been a second negative review), then you won't be able to improve. Yes, it should have been made clear to you, but if it wasn't and you finish a performance evaluation feeling like you don't know what you can do to be better, you need to ask more questions. Keeping that in mind will serve you well in future jobs, because there is always going to be another evaluation.
 
At any point during either of these performance reviews, were you given specific feedback of which aspects of your performance were not up to par? If not, this was something you should have asked for, preferably after the first review. If you don't understand what it is that isn't meeting expectations (and it's clear that you didn't, or there wouldn't have been a second negative review), then you won't be able to improve. Yes, it should have been made clear to you, but if it wasn't and you finish a performance evaluation feeling like you don't know what you can do to be better, you need to ask more questions. Keeping that in mind will serve you well in future jobs, because there is always going to be another evaluation.

No, I absolutely did not get any type of response beside it needs improvement. Unfortunately, I didn’t think of asking them at that time. I was to distraught from being written .
 
No problem, and it's def good that you acknowledge that.

To be honest with you, I think a few of your posts might be indicative of some issues with writing. It's not like my forum spelling and grammar are perfect either, god no, but it might be smart to ask your Chief/QA associate if they're seeing any patterns of writing errors.

Could you go more in depth when mentioned the writing issues? I know my spelling isn’t good as I mentioned earlier .
 
Could you go more in depth when mentioned the writing issues? I know my spelling isn’t good as I mentioned earlier .
I think that while forum posting isn't always the most indicative of your professional or academic writing, your forum posts might suggest some issues in your charts. You should also be spell-checking at the end of each chart regardless. Remember, I'm trying to help you out.

1. scribbing
You misspelled scribe in the title. This is not a technical medical term or medication, where misspelling would almost be expected on the first attempt if you weren't familiar with the word. Instead, it points to difficulties constructing different tenses of the verb scribe that probably should not be present even in forum posts.

2. So i have been a scribe for about 5 months now.
I think you realize the need to capitalize i, and this is common in informal posting, so here I'm less worried.

3. I honestly like it, its literally the best experience I've ever gotten (medical wise).
The its here is problematic even in casual settings. gotten is forgivable in an informal setting. The use of parentheses is awkward here even for forum posts, and you'd be better off rewriting this sentence without the parentheses.

4 However , I believe i wont last long at this job. I have gotten a total of 2 write ups (performance reviews) in which have been bad. The 3 doctors i scribe for have stated in the write ups that "my scribing needs improvement", but have not specified what exactly needs to be improved. Before I get trashed for being a "cry baby", i literally write exactly what they say (my spelling may be off, but there's always google for that), and even if i miss something, they review the note over with me after seeing the patient; sometimes correcting me on some information that i may have missed in the room but mostly they give the OK notice to sign the note for them.
I didn't find much of this overly problematic until your pronoun use here. I can infer what you mean easily because I was paying attention, but in a long note, physicians and scribes won't always be paying close attention. They'll nonetheless expect that your documentation is specific and easy-to-follow.

Really though, getting feedback on your notes, and asking questions if the feedback isn't clear, and acting on it is the best way to improve. I don't see your notes, nor does anyone else in this thread, so I've had to repeatedly account for the fact that you're posting in an entirely different setting. Please remember that you'll probably have to demonstrate consistent and noticeable improvement if you want to continue.
 
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If those physicians complain about their scribes, they should do it themselves, and let the student focus on more important things like getting accepted to medical school.

Some doctors want to help their scribes get into medical, some want to make their scribes undergo a nightmare for whatever distasteful personal reasons.

My advice...drop the needy physicians that can't write their own notes and either get a different clinical job, or a different job altogether and focus on volunteering in health care.

Sometimes workplace toxicity is a thing and this specific sounds like it.
 
If those physicians complain about their scribes, they should do it themselves, and let the student focus on more important things like getting accepted to medical school.

I think you forgot the /s ...
 
I think you forgot the /s ...

Physicians that overwork scribes and pretend that they should have resident-level clinical experience is a great way impede on the students actual goal of becoming a physician.

Many physicians that weren't scribes don't understand this.

Also, when I'm attending, I will always do my own paperwork instead of shove it on some pre-med. If I absolutely needed a scribe, I will at least treat them decent.

I also resent physicians that are so stressed that they can't keep their emotions in check and take it out on their staff. Ridiculous. Handle stress better please.
 
Usually the problem is they do not truly take to heart the concerns and suggestions of the physicians and trainers.

My experience differs quite a bit.

I would say a lot of issues are:

1. Scribing for a company that "mainly" exists to exploit pre-meds.

2. Chief Scribes are usually much worse teachers than they think. My chief scribe was horrendous at teaching. I had taught 15 university chemistry courses before scribing, and she was just terrible.

3. Physicians that don't know how to handle emotions....so that they yell at and belittle their staff.

4. A lot of times, its the scribes, MA's, CNA's, etc. that are the most efficient, don't let stress get to them, and make the office run smoothly.
 
So there is more you can get from scribbing (sorry couldn't help myself) than a LOR, like the medical knowledge. The biggest thing you have to remember is that you are there to make the physicians life easier. If you are not doing that, they won't like you. Go back to your basics remember the HPI aspects (location, severity, duration, time, etc (im forgetting some)). Scribing isnt the easiest job (but neither is doc life) esp in a fast paced ER but if you work at it, you can learn a lot.

Sent from my SM-G930P using SDN mobile
 
Physicians that overwork scribes and pretend that they should have resident-level clinical experience is a great way impede on the students actual goal of becoming a physician.

Many physicians that weren't scribes don't understand this.

Also, when I'm attending, I will always do my own paperwork instead of shove it on some pre-med. If I absolutely needed a scribe, I will at least treat them decent.

I also resent physicians that are so stressed that they can't keep their emotions in check and take it out on their staff. Ridiculous. Handle stress better please.
I 100% agree. Scribes can definitely be bad and get in the way more than help sometimes but I would say the docs the understood this ^^^ used them most efficiently.
I was part of a start-up scribe program and when we first started some would occasionally be rude with us but once they figured out how to use us, they loved us. Also once they realized we got paid less than the janitorial staff, I think it made some more sympathetic.

Sent from my SM-G930P using SDN mobile
 
I think that while forum posting isn't always the most indicative of your professional or academic writing, your forum posts might suggest some issues in your charts. You should also be spell-checking at the end of each chart regardless. Remember, I'm trying to help you out.

1. scribbing
You misspelled scribe in the title. This is not a technical medical term or medication, where misspelling would almost be expected on the first attempt if you weren't familiar with the word. Instead, it points to difficulties constructing different tenses of the verb scribe that probably should not be present even in forum posts.

2. So i have been a scribe for about 5 months now.
I think you realize the need to capitalize i, and this is common in informal posting, so here I'm less worried.

3. I honestly like it, its literally the best experience I've ever gotten (medical wise).
The its here is problematic even in casual settings. gotten is forgivable in an informal setting. The use of parentheses is awkward here even for forum posts, and you'd be better off rewriting this sentence without the parentheses.

4 However , I believe i wont last long at this job. I have gotten a total of 2 write ups (performance reviews) in which have been bad. The 3 doctors i scribe for have stated in the write ups that "my scribing needs improvement", but have not specified what exactly needs to be improved. Before I get trashed for being a "cry baby", i literally write exactly what they say (my spelling may be off, but there's always google for that), and even if i miss something, they review the note over with me after seeing the patient; sometimes correcting me on some information that i may have missed in the room but mostly they give the OK notice to sign the note for them.
I didn't find much of this overly problematic until your pronoun use here. I can infer what you mean easily because I was paying attention, but in a long note, physicians and scribes won't always be paying close attention. They'll nonetheless expect that your documentation is specific and easy-to-follow.

Really though, getting feedback on your notes, and asking questions if the feedback isn't clear, and acting on it is the best way to improve. I don't see your notes, nor does anyone else in this thread, so I've had to repeatedly account for the fact that you're posting in an entirely different setting. Please remember that you'll probably have to demonstrate consistent and noticeable improvement if you want to continue.
I agree with most of what you are saying and there is little excuse for spelling errors, it is a medical chart not a senior english paper. If you ever look at the notes the attendings and residents write up themselves a lot are riddled with spelling and grammer mistakes (at least in my experience). The docs I worked with were happy with/preferred simple sentence structure HPIs as long as it had the needed info. Its more likely that the OP is not hitting the HPI aspects, and/or forgetting results, etc. They could also be trying to get too long-winded and/or fancy or are very slow.
I applaud your grammer skills. The OP asked for your analysis and boy did you give it
Im very self-concious about my grammer and spelling in this now. When you read this, do kno I wrote this from a phone without autocorrect lol.

Sent from my SM-G930P using SDN mobile
 
I think that while forum posting isn't always the most indicative of your professional or academic writing, your forum posts might suggest some issues in your charts. You should also be spell-checking at the end of each chart regardless. Remember, I'm trying to help you out.

1. scribbing
You misspelled scribe in the title. This is not a technical medical term or medication, where misspelling would almost be expected on the first attempt if you weren't familiar with the word. Instead, it points to difficulties constructing different tenses of the verb scribe that probably should not be present even in forum posts.

2. So i have been a scribe for about 5 months now.
I think you realize the need to capitalize i, and this is common in informal posting, so here I'm less worried.

3. I honestly like it, its literally the best experience I've ever gotten (medical wise).
The its here is problematic even in casual settings. gotten is forgivable in an informal setting. The use of parentheses is awkward here even for forum posts, and you'd be better off rewriting this sentence without the parentheses.

4 However , I believe i wont last long at this job. I have gotten a total of 2 write ups (performance reviews) in which have been bad. The 3 doctors i scribe for have stated in the write ups that "my scribing needs improvement", but have not specified what exactly needs to be improved. Before I get trashed for being a "cry baby", i literally write exactly what they say (my spelling may be off, but there's always google for that), and even if i miss something, they review the note over with me after seeing the patient; sometimes correcting me on some information that i may have missed in the room but mostly they give the OK notice to sign the note for them.
I didn't find much of this overly problematic until your pronoun use here. I can infer what you mean easily because I was paying attention, but in a long note, physicians and scribes won't always be paying close attention. They'll nonetheless expect that your documentation is specific and easy-to-follow.

Really though, getting feedback on your notes, and asking questions if the feedback isn't clear, and acting on it is the best way to improve. I don't see your notes, nor does anyone else in this thread, so I've had to repeatedly account for the fact that you're posting in an entirely different setting. Please remember that you'll probably have to demonstrate consistent and noticeable improvement if you want to continue.


Sorry for the late response, but thanks for the feedback. I will try and work on my grammar, while avoiding being terminated. Lol
 
If those physicians complain about their scribes, they should do it themselves, and let the student focus on more important things like getting accepted to medical school.

Some doctors want to help their scribes get into medical, some want to make their scribes undergo a nightmare for whatever distasteful personal reasons.

My advice...drop the needy physicians that can't write their own notes and either get a different clinical job, or a different job altogether and focus on volunteering in health care.

Sometimes workplace toxicity is a thing and this specific sounds like it.

To be really honest, I want to leave so badly. However, I don't know how that will look on the medical school application despite my extensive ECs i have on my application.
As of now, they now have me as an MA most of the time instead of scribing for one of the physicians.
 
To be really honest, I want to leave so badly. However, I don't know how that will look on the medical school application despite my extensive ECs i have on my application.
As of now, they now have me as an MA most of the time instead of scribing for one of the physicians.

I'm glad I was a scribe after the fact. But if I had to do it all over again, I'd volunteer scribe, scribe without a company, scribe family medicine, or just get a retail job.
 
To be really honest, I want to leave so badly. However, I don't know how that will look on the medical school application despite my extensive ECs i have on my application.
As of now, they now have me as an MA most of the time instead of scribing for one of the physicians.
I ****ing hated the first two months of it, in part because I wasn't especially good at scribing. I can do well in organic and physics without too much work, but I can't write a good note???

But you've been at it longer than me. I'd give it one last, good-faith attempt to improve. You might like your job more if you get better at it. If that doesn't work out though, you could say you gave it a good try. ~6 months of something isn't that big of a red flag.
 
To be really honest, I want to leave so badly. However, I don't know how that will look on the medical school application despite my extensive ECs i have on my application.
As of now, they now have me as an MA most of the time instead of scribing for one of the physicians.
MA work is also valuable, allowing you patient contact. Be efficient, courteous and make the physician's job easier.
 
To be really honest, I want to leave so badly. However, I don't know how that will look on the medical school application despite my extensive ECs i have on my application.
As of now, they now have me as an MA most of the time instead of scribing for one of the physicians.
The first few months were tough but once I started getting good, I was able to learn a lot. In my opinion and the opinion of many of the residents and attendings I worked with it will help tremendously come clinical years and residency... I mean the cases I saw opened my eyes to a lot of complications in medicine as well as just being extremely informative. I would stick it out for a full year. At that point it should not be a red flag at all and you should learn a lot. But if you really hate that much there are other ways to get good medical experience.
 
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