Effect of new department of physician's assistance in hospital：from paper works to healthcare quality improvement

Abstract

The recent medical reform has complicated medical documentation and increased administrative work load of physicians. This has caused increased level of exhaustion and consequently impairs the quality of medical care. In April 2008, we established a new unit consisting of 8 medial clerks to reduce physicians' administrative work load. This study was conducted to identify the changes in workload and measure the physicians' satisfaction. Major monthly outcomes were preparation of 1068 medical certificates and completion of 1711 inputs of a basic attribute of discharge summaries. Mean monthly overtime hours were reduced by 8.3 hours. Other requests were medical conference assistance, output of clinical indicators and intra-hospital seminar assistance for physicians or patients. The monthly requests were 10, 5.5 and 2.5 cases, respectively. On effectiveness of the new unit, 82% were satisfied in preparing medical certificates and 64% were satisfied in discharge summaries. Satisfaction in seminar assistance (91%) and clinical indicator output (84%) was also indicated. The newly established medical clerk unit is effective not only in reducing physician's administrative load but also in satisfying various demands which can contribute to their self-education and team approach, leading to the improvement of healthcare quality. Also, the opportunity to give a variety of medical support can encourage clerks to expand their ability and increase their satisfaction.