Chidimma Umerah '26 - Medical Scribing at Baylor Scott and White Health Hospital

I spent my summer as a medical scribe at Baylor Scott and White Health Hospital in Dallas, TX through Scribeology. Upon receiving the offer, I was given a 6 week curriculum on anatomical terms; common medications, illnesses, procedures, surgeries; and orthopedic specific terms and smart phrases. I completed this curriculum in two weeks, as my application was expedited, and passed my assessment. As soon as I passed, I began orientation which is when I began to solidify bonds with not only the doctors I was working under, but the medical assistants and RNs as well. I trained and practiced with five orthopedic surgeons and oncologists - Dr. Jessica Wingfield, Dr. Aladdin Mollabashy, Dr. Louis Jones, Dr. Dorian Wood, and Dr. Nathan Gilbert - at Greater Dallas Orthopedics. My daily activities consisted of taking notes during patient visits and documenting them in the electronic health records system, creating orders for medications, referrals, therapies, ambulating devices, and more for the provider to sign, and completing all administrative tasks efficiently. Each doctor had their own HPI, SOAP note, clinical exam and imaging impression preferences, so I had to be sure to learn each and every one of them. As the days went on, and I was allowed to scribe without the presence of a supervisor or trainer, I found it significantly easier to pay attention to the actual interaction between the patient and the provider. As I typed the symptoms the patient or their families would describe, I found that I had developed the ability to discern conditions a patient may be experiencing. As my knowledge of common orthopedic conditions grew, I noticed an improvement in my scribing capabilities, as I was able to fill out portions of the EHR quicker, thus making me a better service to the doctors. I also gained insight and received many helpful tips on delivering heavy news to patients, as a good portion of the patients we saw were diagnosed with malignant cancers or were significantly debilitated. I was often left in the room alone with the patients  to finish the note as the doctor prepared for their next visit. I realized many patients just want to be seen and heard. Many enjoy simple conversations. Many like to reflect on their past mistakes, struggles, and hardships. Through this experience, I gained insight on the true intricacies of the patient-physician interaction and was given the opportunity to develop personal strategies unique to me to attend and comfort patients in their time of need.