Ambient AI technology can reduce the burden of documentation for health care providers

Researchers from Sutter Health, led by Cheryl Stalls, Ph.D., have found that an innovative ambient artificial intelligence platform has shown promising results in the relaxation of the burden of clinical documentation for health care providers. The study, published today in Jama Network Openrevealed significant reductions in documentation time and improved the overall satisfaction of clinicians. It also highlights the potential of technology to meet the long -standing challenges of the medical profession.

The main conclusions include:

• Time savings: clinicians have experienced a significant decrease in time spent on notes by appointment, reducing their workload. The average time in the notes per appointment decreased from 6.2 to 5.3 minutes (p <0.001).
• Improvement of well-being: the use of ambient AI has led to a marked reduction in mental demand, in particular by feeling precipitated and disseminated perceived in documentation tasks.
• Increased satisfaction of work: overall satisfaction with work has improved and certain reductions in professional exhaustion were observed (42.1% to 35.1%, p = 0.12). An respondent for the investigation said: “I go home happy. It is (bringing) the joy of medicine – take care of patients without drainage to do office work.”

“Our research results demonstrate the potential of the ambient AI to not only save time to clinicians, but also improve their well-being by attenuating the burden associated with documentation tasks,” said Veena Jones, MD, principal author of the study and medical director of Sutter Health.

“This support also has a training effect for patients, who rest at the heart of our work. Ambient AI helps clinicians to be more present with patients during their appointments, so that they can focus more closely on their care.”

The growing requirements for the documentation of electronic health files, in particular outside regular working hours, have health professionals negatively impacted resulting in an increase in professional exhaustion rates among doctors. Ambient AI offers an innovative option by listening to clinical visits and generating precise and organized progress notes, allowing clinicians to concentrate more time with their patients during each visit.

Study overview

The study, launched in April 2024, involved 100 clinicians within Sutter Health, representing a wide range of specialties across North California. The quantitative and survey data collected before and after the implementation revealed significant improvements, in particular a reduction in “time in the notes” and a drop in cognitive load. In addition, the technology, provided by the company Abridge, allowed clinicians To better connect with their patients, improve the overall experience of care.

“The patients love it. They thank me at the end of each visit for spending so much time with them, while it’s really the same time,” said Emily Conway, MD, cardiologist with Sutter Medical Group of the Sequoiah in Santa Rosa.

“In addition, Abridge will often capture something that I have mentally detected, but was in fact the main concern of the patient. When patients see him in the summary, they really appreciate that I have included it and that I feel more heard.”

Ahead

Although the results were positive, the study noted variations in the impact of the ambient AI on the basis of the genre of clinicians and the clinical specialty. These results underline the need for additional research, because this rapidly evolving technology is set up.

“This study highlights the power of research to demonstrate the value of the real world of emerging technologies,” said Matthew Solomon, MD, PH.D., scientific director at Sutter Health. “This is a strong example of how Sutter builds a learning health system – one where knowledge is shared, set up and applied to better support patients and care teams.”

Supplied by Sutter Health