At some doctors' offices, AI is listening in exam room

In the past, the Jefferson Health primary care doctor would have spent the visit furiously typing notes while listening to his patient, unable to make consistent eye contact and fully engage in conversation.

- Sarah Gantz, Tribune News Service

But for the past year, he has been using an artificial intelligence tool that does the listening and note-taking for him

Bracken Babula starts patient visits these days by closing the exam room door, and asking if they mind him recording their conversation.

He hits a button on his mobile phone, checks that it is recording, and sits back in his seat to listen.

In the past, the Jefferson Health primary care doctor would have spent the visit furiously typing notes while listening to his patient, unable to make consistent eye contact and fully engage in conversation. But for the past year, he has been using an artificial intelligence tool that does the listening and note-taking for him. When the visit is over, Babula ends the recording. Within minutes, a note record appears on his computer screen, organised by sections, summarising the main points of their conversation, the different medical issues discussed, and recommended next steps.

"I can face my patient and talk to them and hear their whole conversation," Babula said. "I spend the same amount of time, but have a much higher-quality note than before." Health systems in Philadelphia and across the country have been adopting artificial intelligence for years in ways invisible to patients, such as using the technology to comb radiology scans for signs of cancer, or improve appointment scheduling. Now so-called ambient listening and Al scribes are among the artificial intelligence tools that patients are beginning to see in exam rooms. The technology has significant appeal in health care, where research shows doctors spend more time documenting patient exams and maintaining medical records than they do interacting with their patients. A recent study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found the tools can reduce the amount of time doctors spend on paperwork at home, after their work day is over.