Why We Chose Post-Consultation Dictation for Plexral Scribe
(And Why It Might Be Better for Your Practice Too)
The Allure of Real-Time Transcription
Real-time transcription sounds amazing on paper. I get it. The idea of having your entire consultation automatically documented while you’re talking with your patient seems like the holy grail of medical documentation. And yes, there are some impressive apps out there that can do exactly that.
When Reality Hits: The Hidden Costs of In-Consultation Recording
But here’s where theory meets reality – and why we deliberately chose a different path with Plexral Scribe. When you’re recording an entire consultation, you’re not just capturing the medical narrative; you’re capturing everything. And I mean everything:
- The small talk about the weather
- The patient’s concerns about their parking
- Those moments when you’re explaining complex concepts in laypeople’s terms
- Every “umm,” “ah,” and conversation redirect
Sure, the technology can capture it all. But should it?
The Art of the Medical Consultation
Here’s something we’ve learned from countless conversations with specialists: the language you use with patients is (and should be) fundamentally different from what you put in your medical notes. Think about it:
- With patients: “Your blood sugar levels are a bit higher than we’d like, and we might need to adjust your medication.”
- In medical notes: “Persistent hyperglycemia despite maximum oral hypoglycemic agents. Consider initiating GLP-1 agonist therapy.”
When you’re recording everything, you’re either forced to:
- Speak in medical terminology during the consultation (confusing for patients)
- Speak naturally and then heavily edit the transcript (time-consuming)
- Accept a mix of both in your documentation (less than ideal)
Why Post-Consultation Works Better
Post-consultation dictation lets you maintain two crucial things:
- Natural Patient Communication: Keep your consultations focused on clear, patient-friendly communication
- Professional Documentation: Create precise, terminology-appropriate medical notes
Think of it like being bilingual – you’re fluent in both “patient speak” and “medical speak,” and you get to use each at the right time.
The Cost Factor You Haven’t Considered
Let’s talk money for a moment. With in-consultation recording, you’re paying to transcribe:
- A 30-minute consultation
- Including all the non-medical conversation
- Plus any silences or examination time
With post-consultation dictation:
- Average dictation time: 3-5 minutes
- Only relevant medical information
- No wasted transcription costs
Embracing Natural Workflow
Here’s something we’ve heard repeatedly: many specialists actually prefer dictation. It’s:
- A familiar workflow they’ve mastered over years
- A chance to organize thoughts and create coherent narratives
- An opportunity to highlight what’s truly important
- A skill that’s become second nature
By sticking with post-consultation dictation, Plexral Scribe isn’t just preserving this workflow – we’re enhancing it with AI that understands medical context, maintains chronological order, and learns from your style.
Remember, the goal isn’t to record everything – it’s to document what matters in a way that serves both clinical and professional needs. Sometimes, the most innovative solution isn’t about changing everything, but about making what already works even better.
Want to see how post-consultation dictation can work in your practice? Give Plexral Scribe a try with our free 500-credit starter package. Because sometimes, the traditional way of doing things, with a modern twist, is exactly what the doctor ordered.