A subtle shift is occurring in healthcare – artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into doctor-patient interactions, potentially impacting your next appointment.
Surveys indicate a growing adoption of “ambient listening” technology among physicians nationwide. This innovative approach involves AI systems that passively listen to conversations between doctors and patients, generating real-time transcriptions and detailed clinical notes without interrupting the natural flow of the consultation.
Dr. Daniel Kortsch, associate chief of artificial intelligence and digital health at Denver Health, noted a significant improvement since implementing this technology in late 2024. “It fundamentally alters the doctor-patient dynamic, allowing both parties to focus on genuine human connection,” he explained.
At Denver Health, Nabla is the AI tool employed. With a single click, it begins capturing and transcribing dialogue—even supporting multiple languages—and subsequently produces a concise summary suitable for inclusion in the patient’s medical record.
This innovation arrives at a crucial juncture. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a shortage of 57,000 to 72,000 physicians this year, exacerbating workloads and contributing to physician burnout. A more recent estimate from the same organization projects a shortfall reaching up to 86,000 doctors by 2036.
The impact on healthcare professionals has been noticeable. As Dr. Kortsch observed, “We’ve seen providers using Nabla spend less time working at home – fewer hours spent ‘in their pajamas,’ reviewing and documenting patient encounters.”
To address potential concerns about AI’s role in care, technology companies emphasize that physicians retain complete control. Systems are designed with built-in checks and balances to ensure accuracy and alignment with the doctor’s judgment.
“Ultimately, the physician maintains 100% authority over what is documented and ensures it accurately reflects the best course of action for the patient,” stated Kenneth Harper, head of Dragon Copilot at Microsoft.
Microsoft’s ambient listening technology, Dragon Copilot, is currently utilized by approximately 600 healthcare organizations across Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
According to Microsoft, their tool “promotes clinician well-being, increases efficiency, and improves both provider and patient outcomes through its fast, accurate, secure, and intuitive speech and ambient capabilities.”
Beyond alleviating the burden on providers, this technology is also yielding benefits for patients. Kortsch reported that visits are marked by more focused engagement.
Denver Health intends to broaden the application of ambient AI beyond physicians. Training initiatives are underway for nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and physical therapists, expanding these advantages across various disciplines within healthcare.
“Individuals pursue careers in medicine not to process paperwork; their calling is that meaningful interaction,” Kortsch concluded. “Ambient AI helps restore and strengthen that connection.”
- Ambient listening technology passively listens to doctor-patient conversations.
- It generates real-time transcriptions and detailed clinical notes.
- Physicians retain full control over the information documented by the AI system.
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