How AI is prolonging this physician’s practice

Dennis Styne has practiced pediatric endocrinology at UC Davis Health since 1983. But when he developed aggressive Dupuytren’s contracture—a condition that severely limits hand mobility—he faced a difficult reality: typing patient notes became nearly impossible.

“It was so difficult to write or type complete records that I could have effectively stopped practicing because of the condition,” Styne said.

Enter Abridge, an AI-powered scribe

To continue doing what he loves, Styne has long relied on a human scribe provided by UC Davis Health to help type notes during and after patient appointments. But sometimes his scribe isn’t available.

Then he turns to Abridge, a scribe tool powered by artificial intelligence. UC Davis Health has made the tool available to all ambulatory attending physicians.

“The AI scribe is very helpful,” Styne said. “It takes down all the medical comments I make to patients and arranges them in good order.”

While Abridge doesn’t always automatically capture personal discussions about his patients’ activities or school interests—something Styne values to provide more personalized pediatric care—it has proven to be a powerful ally. On the other hand, the tool sometimes notes appropriate medical terms that he didn’t use in the patient discussion, where he may have used more colloquial language.

He cautions that AI notes require careful review, “just as I would review a note from anyone I supervise to make sure the finished medical record is accurate.”

More than just accessibility—it’s efficient

Styne credits Abridge not only with helping him overcome a physical barrier but also for making his workflow more efficient. “Even if I had all my fingers working, I would spend much more time on the charts than I do now,” he said.

He recommends the tool to his physician colleagues, especially those experiencing temporary injuries or disabilities.

Patients have responded positively to the use of Abridge. Styne reminds them it’s secure and works only through their medical records. He said his patients feel confident with the technology and have never complained.

Ready to try it?

Abridge is now available for all ambulatory attending physicians at UC Davis Health. If you’re looking for a way to streamline your documentation, improve efficiency or simply explore new tools to support your practice, consider signing up:

1. Submit a catalog request.
2. Complete the 15-minute online training, sent to your email.

Note: iPhone/iPad devices only.