How AI is Enhancing Patient Care and Alleviating Physician Burnout

Artificial intelligence is transforming doctor-patient interactions, and this innovative technology may already be at work during your next medical appointment.

Across the United States, thousands of healthcare providers are utilizing a form of AI known as ambient listening. This technology discreetly listens to conversations between doctors and patients, producing real-time transcriptions that culminate in detailed clinical notes without disrupting the flow of consultations.

The Impact of Ambient Listening on Healthcare

Dr. Daniel Kortsch, associate chief of artificial intelligence and digital health at Denver Health, remarked that ambient listening technology significantly improved patient interactions since its implementation in fall 2024.

“It really shifts the doctor-patient interaction, allowing them to just converse and connect as humans,” Kortsch stated.

At Denver Health, practitioners use an AI tool named Nabla, which initiates transcription with a single click. This advanced technology supports multiple languages and generates a summary post-visit for inclusion in the patient’s medical record.

Addressing the Physician Shortage

This innovative approach emerges at a critical juncture. The Association of American Medical Colleges projected a shortage of between 57,000 and 72,000 physicians in the current year, leading to heightened workloads and an increase in physician burnout.

The Benefits of Using Ambient Listening

Dr. Kortsch noted that providers utilizing Nabla experienced reduced hours working from home, describing this phenomenon as a decrease in ‘pajama time,’ which refers to time spent typing on computers while at home.

For patients expressing skepticism about AI, technology companies assure that human doctors always retain control. A system of checks and balances exists between healthcare providers and the AI systems responsible for drafting patient summaries.

“Ultimately, the physician retains 100% control over patient care, ensuring that all actions align with what is best for the patient,” said Kenneth Harper, head of Dragon Copilot at Microsoft, a key supplier of medical AI.

Expanding AI in Healthcare

Currently, approximately 600 healthcare organizations in states like Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, and Pennsylvania are integrating Dragon Copilot, Microsoft’s ambient listening solution.

This tool enhances clinician well-being, boosts efficiency, and improves overall outcomes for both patients and providers through its quick, accurate, secure, and intuitive functionalities.

The Dual Benefits for Patients and Providers

While AI technology alleviates workloads for medical providers, it simultaneously enhances patient experience through more direct engagement during visits. Dr. Kortsch emphasized the continuing expansion of this technology at Denver Health. Ongoing training is being provided to nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and physical therapists, extending the advantages of ambient AI throughout the healthcare network.