Stephanie Ryan (Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Class of 2024) has high regard for the Gap Year Scribe and Practice Assistant program. She said the program emphasized patient centered medicine and the importance of establishing a great relationship with the patients.
“Building a rapport and remembering things from week to week appointments makes the patient feel at home and puts them at ease,” she said.
It is critical to avoid being too structure or robotic when conducting a full patient interview and compiling medical history. This is especially important when asking sensitive questions.
“Most scribes are good on the medical lingo and charting,” said Stephanie, “They do not always get the conversation piece. I felt confident doing it because I had done it so many times.”
Program mentorship is unique
“It offers a really wide breath of medical knowledge and opportunity to help with procedures,” Stephanie said. “He gives you so much responsibility with guidance. He taught what it takes to be a doctor and the attention to detail you need.”
Her choice of medical school was based on that positive mentorship experience. She attends Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
The scribe program also enabled Stephanie to gain hands on experience with how the insurance aspect of a medical practice operates.
“Insurance is a big part of being a medical provider,” she said. “Knowing what is needed and what is covered is a huge help.”
Having knowledge of Medicare, which serves so much of the population, helped Stephanie understand the stress so many patients experience with insurance coverage.
Although some medical schools are now incorporating topics, such as insurance, she feels that she has the solid groundwork in place already.
“The program prepped me so well for medical school, and I have a mentor for life,” Stephanie said.