AI scribe survey reveals patient preferences for taking medical notes

AI scribe survey reveals patient preferences for taking medical notes

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are a tremendous asset in exam rooms across the country, creating secure databases of patient history that physicians can easily access and update. However, they can also impact the doctor-patient experience, requiring doctors to enter notes into the system instead of devoting their full attention to patients.

To help doctors get back in front of their patients — and no longer have to work at their keyboards — UC Davis Health has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) scribe that automatically records and transcribes conversations during office visits. These systems maintain detailed medical records so doctors can focus on their patients.

To prepare for the launch of the digital tool, UC Davis Health conducted a comprehensive survey to assess patient perceptions of the technology. The results that shed light on how the writer was implemented were recently published in theJournal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Medical Informatics.

“We weren’t sure how patients would respond to these AI transcriptions,” said Gary Leiserowitz, chair of obstetrics and gynecology and lead author of the paper.

There was little information from other institutions, so we worked with our patient experience colleagues to understand what patients might think.”

Gary Leiserowitz, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California – Davis Health

Survey results

The survey was emailed to more than 9,000 patients and approximately 1,900 responded. While 73% felt they were heard during clinical visits, 23% said their doctors focused more on note-taking than on them.

“Many people think of medical documentation as a necessary evil, but hate it when their doctors sit in front of the computer and try to record everything they talk about,” Leiserowitz said. “They feel like that connection is lost.”

In the survey, 48% of respondents said an AI writer would be a good solution, while 33% were neutral and 19% expressed concerns. Younger patients (18-30 years old) were more skeptical about the technology than older patients.

Most patients were concerned about the accuracy of notes (39%), privacy and security (13%), and the prospect of recording (13%). Many of the related comments expressed concern that the recordings could be hacked. About 10% felt it would be harmful to doctors and staff.

A seamless transition

When patients were asked when was the best time during their care experience to be informed that a digital tool would be taking notes, they strongly preferred early notification: They wanted to know while making an appointment, arriving at the doctor's office, or checking in at a clinic. Most (57%) preferred personal notification, while many (45%) were fine with email.

The survey results provided UC Davis Health with valuable guidance on how to communicate the transition to AI writing. The team integrated multiple educational touchpoints to gain buy-in, prioritizing face-to-face interactions with patients.

“One of our key takeaways from the survey was that we needed to educate patients about what the AI ​​scribe could and couldn’t do,” Leiserowitz said. "Security was a big concern for us, so when vetting providers we made sure they only used domestic servers. And while the AI ​​notes go into the EMR, the recording itself disappears within 10 days."

To ensure complete accuracy, the physician also reviews and edits the notes before inserting them into the electronic medical record. Patients can also inform and advise their doctors about possible corrections. Ultimately, if a patient is not satisfied with the system, they can opt out.

At UC Davis Health, a dedicated analytics oversight committee reviews all advanced analytics models, including AI-based models used in clinical decision making. The committee's goal is to develop a streamlined and innovative approach that ensures that health AI is implemented responsibly, ethically and effectively - always in the interests of patients and the community

“This often depends on the quality of the doctor-patient relationship,” Leiserowitz said. "If the patient trusts us and understands why we use it, they tend to accept it. That's why education is such a critical factor. It helps patients become comfortable with the technology."

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