Open Forum

I hope this message finds everyone well. I am reaching out to gather insights regarding the operational models that various organizations employ in their dermatology practices. Specifically, I am interested in the following:

1. Practice Models: What kind of organizational structure do you utilize for your dermatology services? Is your dermatology practice provider-based/TJC?  Are you from an academic center?  

2. Use of Scribes:  Does your organization employ scribes during patient consultations? If so, could you share how integrating scribes has impacted your workflow and patient care?

3. Funding for Scribes:  How are scribes compensated within your organization? Are they funded through specific revenue streams, or is there a different financial structure in place?  Do you have clinical staff cross trained to perform scribe responsibilities?  

Your insights would be invaluable in understanding the diverse approaches within our field. Thank you in advance for your contributions!

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Kim Dixon, RN, MSN, NEA-BC
Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Ambulatory
University of Kansas Health System
email:  kdixon@kumc.edu
office:  913-588-9921
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Hi Kim,

I am the nurse manager for an outpatient Derm office that is within an academic center. About a year and a half ago we decided to integrate scribes to help offload as we were having trouble finding clinical support. 4 of our 14 physicians wanted to utilize the scribes and they are with them for all encounters. We see both cosmetic and medical patients. The feedback that we have gotten from the physicians is that they are a huge help with their notes and they double as a chaperone for visits. The scribes we have found have all been in a gap year or looking to go back for either PA or MD so they are professional, hardworking and motivated. They are strictly scribes and do not assist with any procedures and the MA/LPN will go in to assist when needed. All of my clinical staff are trained to do some basic scribing so those physicians that do not work with a scribe have a clinical staff member to help but it is more of a basic starting of the note. 

The scribes are hired as any other staff member and are funded through our budget but I do know of other practices that the physician pays a part of the salary if they want to hire a scribe. 

I hope this helps! 

Lauren 

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Lauren Crociata BSN RN
Stony Brook Dermatology Associates
Stony Brook NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-23-2024 10:05
From: Kim Dixon
Subject: Dermatology practice models and use of scribes

I hope this message finds everyone well. I am reaching out to gather insights regarding the operational models that various organizations employ in their dermatology practices. Specifically, I am interested in the following:

1. Practice Models: What kind of organizational structure do you utilize for your dermatology services? Is your dermatology practice provider-based/TJC?  Are you from an academic center?  

2. Use of Scribes:  Does your organization employ scribes during patient consultations? If so, could you share how integrating scribes has impacted your workflow and patient care?

3. Funding for Scribes:  How are scribes compensated within your organization? Are they funded through specific revenue streams, or is there a different financial structure in place?  Do you have clinical staff cross trained to perform scribe responsibilities?  

Your insights would be invaluable in understanding the diverse approaches within our field. Thank you in advance for your contributions!

------------------------------
Kim Dixon, RN, MSN, NEA-BC
Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Ambulatory
University of Kansas Health System
email:  kdixon@kumc.edu
office:  913-588-9921
------------------------------