AI notetaking pilot successful, program opens to next physician group

Thirty-one physicians tested the AI scribe app Abridge this summer as part of a pilot program to consider adopting the technology across UC Davis Health.

Today the next wave of physicians can use the app with their own patients. 

AI scribe technology aims to eliminate the need for real-time manual documentation, so clinicians can completely focus on and maintain eye contact with a patient. Following an appointment, AI organizes the conversation into a standard progress note, including treatment plan, physical exam and history of present illness. It also generates a patient-facing visit summary.

“The AI scribe has given me hope and banished my burnout,” said Folsom family practice physician Gertrudes Montemayor. “I feel like I have returned to the good old days. I was off to my next patient with a clear mind.”

Pilot results

The Clinical Informatics and Health Analytics Core teams measured the pilot’s outcomes using Abridge analytics, note-quality assessments and participant surveys.

Physicians who participated in the pilot generated 7,151 total notes; 85% of the text of these notes were generated by AI. The median time for Abridge to process a clinical note was 1.05 minutes after a recording was finalized. Additional findings:

• Abridge significantly decreased Time in Notes per appointment, by 1.38 minutes compared with a control group.
• Physicians’ mental demand decreased by 38%, and effort decreased by 44.6%. Attention given to patients increased by 66.5%.
• Physicians who participated in the pilot felt that Abridge improved their work satisfaction by 60%. They self-reported a 29.1% reduction in work after hours.
• Physicians self-reported that their attention to patients increased by 66.5% during appointments.
• 48% of physicians agree that Abridge improved the quality of their notes.

Patients who consented to physicians using Abridge during their appointments were offered feedback opportunities; 602 patients answered survey questions.

• Patients found their Abridge-generated notes to be 96.6% accurate.
• 46.1% of patients reported improvement when asked, “How much did the scribe software improve engagement with your provider?”

Next steps

On September 30, the Medical Group invited the next wave of physicians to test the Abridge app. Additional physicians groups will receive invitations through the end of 2024.

At this time, the project is targeting primarily physicians in ambulatory practices and specialty departments with a minimum of three clinic half-days per week. Expansion to additional clinical roles and settings will be considered at a future date.

The project team will continue to measure outcomes as well as monitor note quality for accuracy and potential AI bias.

Watch a demo

“This technology, overnight, will revolutionize the way we see patients,” said Folsom clinic Medical Director Victor Baquero.