Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming health care at extremely rapid rates. In this ever-evolving world of health care technology, clinicians should be searching for ways to optimize their workflow, improve patient care, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. One of the most talked-about innovations lately is the AI medical scribe.
But many nurse practitioners, physicians, physician associates, and other health care providers are wondering: should clinicians actually use an AI medical scribe in practice? Is it safe? Is it necessary? Will it actually help us in our role? In this blog post, we’ll explore what an AI medical scribe is, its benefits, potential challenges, and whether it could be the right solution for your practice.
What is an AI medical scribe?
An AI medical scribe is a digital assistant designed to streamline the charting process by using artificial intelligence (AI). The AI captures and transcribes information said by the clinician and patient during a patient encounter. The technology uses natural language processing to generate clinical notes in real-time. The information can then be reviewed, edited, and added to a patient’s electronic health record (EHR).
AI medical scribes write chart notes for clinicians. This real-time automation of chart notes allows clinicians to stay caught up with documentation and avoid bringing charts home. By reducing the time spent on documentation, clinicians can focus more on direct patient care and reduce the burden of charting. Not only does this help clinicians create a better work-life balance, it can also help them overcome clinician burnout.
I personally use an AI medical scribe in my own practice and have been impressed by the technology and accuracy of SOAP notes. Utilizing an AI medical scribe helps me give my full attention to my patients in the exam room while also writing my chart notes for me. AI medical scribes have been a game changer for clinicians.
Benefits of using an AI medical scribe
AI medical scribes offer several benefits for clinicians, making them an attractive addition to many practices. Here are some of the key advantages:
1. Spend less time charting. One of the biggest benefits of an AI medical scribe is the potential to drastically cut down on the time clinicians spend charting. Documentation is an essential part of health care, but it often takes hours of a clinician’s time each week. With the help of an AI medical scribe, a significant portion of this documentation can be automated, leaving clinicians with more time to focus on patients during office hours rather than completing notes long after their shift is over.
2. Achieve better work-life balance. Reducing charting time also leads to a better work-life balance. Many clinicians find themselves overwhelmed, finishing notes at home after a full day of patient care. This intrusion on personal time can lead to burnout, stress, and “mom/dad guilt” for those trying to balance their professional and family lives. By leveraging an AI medical scribe to handle documentation, clinicians can leave work at the office, reclaim their personal time, and enjoy more of life outside their practice.
3. Streamline charting for efficiency. AI medical scribes can help clinicians streamline their approach to charting by providing templates, prompting necessary information, and reducing redundant data entry. This can make the charting process more consistent, organized, and easy to review. In particular, these systems can improve efficiency in busy practices where time is of the essence, enabling clinicians to see more patients without compromising the quality of documentation or care.
4. Accurate and detailed notes. AI medical scribes are programmed to pick up on important details of clinical conversations, potentially producing more comprehensive and accurate notes. These scribe systems can ensure that critical components of a patient visit are captured accurately, helping reduce errors and omissions. Additionally, the AI can incorporate medical terminology and structure that aligns with regulatory requirements, improving the quality of documentation.
Downfalls and challenges of using an AI medical scribe
While the benefits are compelling, it’s also essential to consider the potential drawbacks and limitations of using an AI medical scribe. Understanding these challenges will help clinicians make informed decisions about integrating this technology into their practice.
1. Cost and accessibility. One of the major challenges in adopting an AI medical scribe is the cost. While it can save time, it may come at a price that some practices find difficult to afford. Subscription fees, software licenses, and any required hardware upgrades could make it a substantial investment, especially for smaller practices. It’s important to weigh whether the cost savings in clinician time and efficiency truly offset the price of implementing the technology.
For example, some AI medical scribes are relatively affordable ($99/month) but have downfalls, such as lack of EHR integration. While clinicians can start using these AI medical scribes right away, they do have to copy and paste SOAP notes into their own EHR. Other AI medical scribes integrate into EHRs but can cost upwards of $500+/month and require approval from clinic managers and assistance from the IT department.
2. Ethical and privacy considerations. With AI medical scribes constantly recording conversations, privacy is a critical concern. Patient consent, data security, and HIPAA compliance are all areas that must be carefully managed to ensure that the AI is used ethically. Patients may be uncomfortable knowing that an AI system is listening in on their conversations, and there must be strict protocols for how data is handled, stored, and shared. While many of the AI medical scribe programs are HIPAA compliant, it is always advised to gain patient consent when using the technology.
3. Potential over-reliance on AI. While AI medical scribes can enhance efficiency, there is a risk of clinicians becoming overly dependent on the technology. If practitioners rely too heavily on AI to generate documentation, they might lose some of their skills in charting and documentation. Being able to manually create thorough, accurate clinical notes is still a valuable skill that every clinician should maintain. Over-reliance on technology can also be problematic if the AI system experiences a malfunction or error, requiring the clinician to step in and document without assistance.
4. Technology limitations and learning curve. Though AI technology is improving rapidly, it is not without its flaws. AI medical scribes may still produce errors, misunderstandings, or inconsistencies in the documentation that require manual review and correction. Additionally, the learning curve for integrating and using a new AI system can be challenging, requiring training, setup time, and adjustments to workflows. For some clinicians, adapting to this new approach may be more of a hurdle than a help in their day-to-day practice.
Should you adopt an AI medical scribe?
So, is an AI medical scribe the right fit for your practice? The answer depends on your specific needs, workflow, and resources. For many clinicians, the benefits of reduced charting time, improved work-life balance, and streamlined efficiency may outweigh the potential challenges and costs. However, it’s crucial to approach the decision with a balanced view and thorough research.
Before adopting an AI medical scribe, consider the following:
Budget and cost-benefit analysis. Can you afford the system, and will it save enough time to justify the investment? Be sure to ask your employer to cover the cost. After all, if AI medical scribes help you to save time charting, you will have higher job satisfaction and possibly see more patients during a workday—without compromising additional time.
Balance between efficiency and skill. Can you maintain your documentation skills while using the AI system, and are you comfortable intervening when necessary?
Technology comfort level. Are you and your team comfortable with learning and adapting to new technology?
Ultimately, AI medical scribes can be a powerful tool for improving efficiency and reducing the burden of charting, but like any tool, they must be used appropriately and with consideration of their limitations.
If you’re considering implementing an AI medical scribe in your practice, start by weighing the pros and cons. Evaluate how it aligns with your work needs, patient care goals, and overall workflow.
For many, this technology could be a game-changer; for others, it might not be the right fit just yet. Whether you choose to embrace AI or continue charting manually, the ultimate goal is to provide the best possible care for your patients while preserving your own work-life balance and well-being.
Erica Dorn is a nurse practitioner.
