Table 1 Threats to medical scribe industry

Change in documentation model

Various changes in documentation model, based on regulation and technology advancements, could lead to not needing medical scribes to aid in documentation

Using artificial intelligence as a way to help with documentation

Change in the scribe workforce

The pre-professional model is the most popular model of medical scribes. However, with the increased use in medical scribes, different models may have to be utilized

Using non-medical school bound individuals as scribes

Lack of opportunities for continuing professional development

Being a pre-professional medical scribe may not be beneficial when applying to medical schools

A medical scribe being paid poorly, working very hard, but still not getting into medical school programs

Utilizing other personnel as scribes (MA/LPN/RN)

Using people in house to be documenters for the providers

Using LPNs or MAs or RNs as scribes

EHR usability

Medical scribes are just a band-aid solution to the EHR. With more EHR ingenuity, the need for medical scribes could decrease

Optimal design of documentation inside the EHR

Changes in the return on investments case for scribes

Changing the pay model of pre-professional scribes from a human ROI model to a reimburseable model

Making scribing reimbursable for providers

Patient entered data

Allowing patients to enter data into their chart

OpenNotes