Doc gets more patient time with scribe at the keyboard

In ancient times, a member of a learned class who copied holy writs and often served as a teacher was known as a “scribe.”

Today’s scribes are copying and teaching as well — but as invaluable members of health-care teams, helping doctors and physician’s assistants complete medical records in real time.

Physicians used to be able to focus solely on patient care, but with the advent of electronic health records in the 1970s, they suddenly found themselves burdened with documentation and clerical responsibilities that got in the way of interacting with people in their care.