Concept of virtual research scribes in clinical research in emergency medicine

Abstract Background Due to the unique nature of working in the field of emergency medicine (EM), physicians often find it difficult to engage in research and scholarly activity while also working clinical shifts. Barriers to engaging in both academic and clinical work include lack of time, resources, and incentives. EM physicians are familiar with the concept of scribes working alongside them in the emergency department, and there are multiple papers published that examine and advocate for their benefits. Objectives This paper aims to introduce the concept of virtual research scribes in clinical research in EM to offer physicians an opportunity to alleviate the burdens of balancing clinical work and academia simultaneously. Methods A research scribe is a student who is interested in healthcare and research and aids the PI in literature reviews and manuscript writing and editing, completely remotely. Six research scribes were hired in a pilot program to test their efficacy in a clinical research setting. The scribes were assigned tasks including manuscript writing and editing, performing literature reviews, and writing newsletters. Results The six research scribes in the pilot program proved to be beneficial for time management, collaboration, and editing in the research and scholarly process. The remote nature of the program allowed for flexibility in scheduling on both the PI and scribe's behalf. Conclusion By utilizing a research scribe in their academic career, EM physicians can increase efficiency and productivity in scholarly work.