AI and Healthcare The ins and outs, and risks of AI Scribes - with Mika Newton [FULL INTERVIEW]
May 29, 2025
In this intriguing discussion, Dr. Spencer Dorn, Vice Chair and Professor of Medicine at UNC, sheds light on the evolving role of AI scribes in healthcare. He delves into their potential to alleviate documentation fatigue while highlighting their limitations and hidden risks. The conversation emphasizes the critical need for personalization in AI tools and the impact on clinician-patient relationships. Furthermore, they explore how integrating AI can enhance clinical decision-making and improve care quality, without compromising the safety and accountability essential in healthcare.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Limits of AI Scribes
- AI scribes mainly transcribe conversations and write history of present illness, but struggle with assessment, plan, and other note sections.
- Integration with electronic health records (EHR) determines how contextually aware and useful the scribe is beyond transcription.
Context Awareness Depends on Integration
- The deeper the EHR integration, the more context AI scribes have for tasks like pending orders and clinical decision support.
- Some advanced scribes can listen, summarize patient history, and suggest diagnoses or clinical decisions during the encounter.
AI Scribes Affect Coding and Wellness
- AI scribes can improve physician wellness and patient experience but may not significantly save time.
- Financial ROI sometimes comes from better coding and capturing diagnoses for reimbursement, especially inpatient.
