AI is becoming a transformative force in healthcare, particularly in addressing clinician burnout. At Advocate Health, Dr. Jeffrey Cleveland, Ambulatory CMIO, is at the forefront of integrating AI and ambient listening tools to enhance clinician efficiency and well-being. In a longitudinal <a href="https://ai.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/AIoa2400659">study</a> conducted in collaboration with Microsoft, Advocate Health tested the impact of AI-based clinical documentation on clinicians’ workflows. While the results revealed nuanced insights, the initiative underscores a commitment to improving the clinical experience through technology.<br /> Scroll down to watch or listen to the full interview; or subscribe to healthsystemCIO on your favorite podcasting channel<br /> AI-Powered Documentation: The Study Framework<br /> Advocate Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S., set out to evaluate Nuance’s Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX) Copilot—a tool designed to streamline documentation by automatically generating notes from patient encounters. Dr. Cleveland led the research, enrolling 125 primary care physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) in the Southeast region. The study ran from June to December 2023, focusing on metrics such as time spent in the EHR and potential revenue generation.<br /> Dr. Cleveland explained the motivation: “Our goal from the beginning was to address physician burnout by making their professional experience better. We want our clinicians to enjoy their work and return the joy to their practice.”<br /> Key Findings<br /> The study revealed mixed results. On average, clinicians saved 17 minutes per day using the AI-powered tool, but the control group also showed an 11-minute daily time savings, making the net difference modest. Additionally, the study did not find a significant increase in patient appointments or revenue attributable to the technology.<br /> Despite these findings, a subset of users experienced profound benefits: “Almost 20% of users saved at least an hour a day. For some, it was life-changing—allowing them to spend more time with family, avoid burnout, and even reconsider retirement plans,” shared Dr. Cleveland.<br /> This duality—incremental average gains versus transformative impact for specific users—highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach to evaluating AI tools.<br /> Beyond the Metrics: Transforming Clinician Experience<br /> While time savings were a primary focus, qualitative assessments revealed broader benefits. Clinicians reported improved patient interactions, as the tool allowed them to maintain eye contact and focus on conversations without the distraction of manual note-taking. This enhancement of patient engagement resonated strongly with both clinicians and patients.<br /> Dr. Cleveland elaborated: “Even for clinicians who didn’t save time, the reduction in cognitive burden was significant. The tool captured details accurately, reduced friction in workflows, and made their professional lives more satisfying.”<br /> This qualitative feedback led Advocate Health to expand the program, offering licenses across its enterprise.<br /> Integration Matters<br /> A key factor in the adoption and satisfaction with DAX Copilot was its integration with Epic, the health system’s EMR. While DAX is not an Epic-developed tool, its seamless interface with the EMR simplified workflows and minimized disruption.<br /> Dr. Cleveland noted the importance of this alignment: “The tool’s integration with Epic meant that clinicians could focus on their patients, not technology. This ease of use drove higher adoption and sustained engagement.”<br /> Lessons for Health IT Leaders<br /> Health IT executives can glean several lessons from Advocate Health’s journey:<br /> <br /> * Start with a Clear Goal: Define the problem you want to solve. For Advocate Health, it was about alleviating clinician burnout and enhancing their professional experience.<br />

healthsystemCIO.com

Anthony Guerra

Study Author Says, Despite Moderate Quantitative Gains, Ample Qualitative Anecdotes Warrant Going Full Steam Ahead on AI-Powered Ambient Listening Tools

DEC 8, 202439 MIN
healthsystemCIO.com

Study Author Says, Despite Moderate Quantitative Gains, Ample Qualitative Anecdotes Warrant Going Full Steam Ahead on AI-Powered Ambient Listening Tools

DEC 8, 202439 MIN

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<p>AI is becoming a transformative force in healthcare, particularly in addressing clinician burnout. At Advocate Health, Dr. Jeffrey Cleveland, Ambulatory CMIO, is at the forefront of integrating AI and ambient listening tools to enhance clinician efficiency and well-being. In a longitudinal study conducted in collaboration with Microsoft, Advocate Health tested the impact of AI-based clinical [&#8230;]</p> <p>Source: <a href="https://healthsystemcio.com/2024/12/08/ai-and-ambient-listening-in-healthcare/">Study Author Says, Despite Moderate Quantitative Gains, Ample Qualitative Anecdotes Warrant Going Full Steam Ahead on AI-Powered Ambient Listening Tools</a> on <a href="https://healthsystemcio.com">healthsystemcio.com - healthsystemCIO.com is the sole online-only publication dedicated to exclusively and comprehensively serving the information needs of healthcare CIOs.</a></p>