We encounter artificial intelligence (AI) in everything from social media algorithms to smart home appliances. What about AI in healthcare, though? With some concerns, the majority of Americans, according to a recent nationwide survey conducted on behalf of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, think it is.
The results of the 1,006-person countrywide survey were:
A majority of 75% think it’s crucial to use AI to reduce human mistake.
71% of people want wait times to be shortened by AI.
During a meeting, 70% of people feel at ease with AI taking notes.
66% of respondents think AI should help healthcare professionals better balance their work and personal lives.
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is testing the Microsoft Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX) Copilot application in order to address a few of these problems. It securely listens to a provider-patient encounter and creates clinical notes that are entered into the patient’s electronic medical record using conversational, ambient, and generative AI. The doctor may concentrate on the patient and review and update the notes after the visit, as opposed to inputting notes during the session.
The pilot initiative was led by Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Chief Health Information Officer Ravi Tripathi, MD. In this year’s test, 24 doctors and advanced practice providers in cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and primary care visited an outpatient clinic between mid-January and mid-March.
With the patient’s consent, the healthcare professional uses the AI program to document the visit. After the visit, the notes are arranged and prepared for review in under a minute.
It was discovered to save up to four minutes every visit. During that time, the doctor can establish a rapport with the patient, provide education, and ensure that they are aware of the future plan, according to Tripathi.
While some clinicians still favored their previous approach, 80% of them finished the pilot. Since the AI solution had a major positive effect on their practices during the eight weeks of testing, we really permitted them to continue using it afterward.”
In order to help clinicians spend less time on the computer and more time engaging with their patients, Ohio State is carefully integrating AI. Credit: Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University
Harrison Jackson, MD, an internist who has been annoyed by the amount of typing required during each patient visit, was one of the pilot participants.
“While it is important, having documentation during a visit detracts from the quality of patient connection. I even say I’m sorry. Jackson remarked, “I apologize; I realize I’m staring at the computer more than I am with you.
“With every patient, I’m spending the same amount of time, if not more, and it’s more quality time with greater eye contact. I often speak aloud about physical exam details so the AI computer can record them, and it starts a productive dialogue with my patient,” Jackson stated. “I’ve also let our residents use the technology under my supervision, and we’ve noticed the quality of their patient interactions and the quality of plans they present have improved.”
