AI-Assisted Notetaking Gains Steady Support from Kaiser Permanente Physicians
A year into the rollout of generative artificial intelligence (AI) for notetaking, The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) in Northern California reports over 2.5 million uses of this technology. The AI scribe has helped doctors save nearly 16,000 hours in documentation time, positively impacting both physician workloads and patient interactions.
According to surveys conducted, most doctors and patients are satisfied with the technology, which allows physicians to focus more on patient care instead of typing notes. Kristine Lee, MD, the associate executive director of virtual medicine and technology at TPMG, noted, We have an opportunity and obligation to take advantage of innovative AI that improves patient care and augments our physicians’ capabilities, while supporting their wellness.
Positive Impact on Patient Interaction
The AI tool aids in creating accurate visit summaries, granting doctors the chance to review and make adjustments as necessary. Vincent Liu, MD, a research scientist and chief data officer at TPMG, stated, This technology alleviates workloads for doctors. Both doctors and patients highly value face-to-face contact during a visit, and the AI scribe supports that.
Increased Usage and Benefits
From October 2023 to December 2024, over 7,260 TPMG physicians utilized the AI scribe in 2,576,627 patient encounters. Notably, the highest adoption rates occurred among departments plagued by documentation burdens, revealing the tool’s utility in combating physician burnout.
Aaron Tierney, PhD, emphasized that extensive users of the AI noted significant time savings, far surpassing those who used the technology less frequently.
Survey Insights from Physicians and Patients
Out of 102 surveyed physicians, 88% noted a positive impact from AI scribes on their visit interactions, citing reduced cognitive load and time savings. Patient surveys also reflected comfort with the technology, with 66% feeling at ease with its use.
Ethical Considerations and Future Developments
The authors indicated that future enhancements could drive further adoption of the technology. They also highlighted a previous report on the accuracy of AI-generated transcripts, scoring impressively on measures of bias, consistency, succinctness, and accuracy.
The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research aims to continue refining the capabilities of the AI scribe, contributing to improved doctor-patient interactions and administrative efficiency.
A New AI Initiative in Public Sector
Bootcamp Aims to Train Data Scientists in AI
In a parallel initiative, the UK government has unveiled a new AI Accelerator Programme designed to upskill data scientists working in the public sector into machine learning experts. This 12-week bootcamp aims to double the number of digital professionals in government departments by 2030.
This programme encourages cross-departmental collaboration to tackle live government challenges. Minister Feryal Clark stated, By building AI skills across government, we’ll be able to deliver just that – all while finding efficiencies and transforming services.
Ethics and Participation in Training
Participants will engage in discussions surrounding ethical AI use, learning to manage their data responsibly and transparently. Previous program attendees expressed optimism about developing effective and explainable machine learning models.
The AI Accelerator Programme is being implemented by Decoded, a training firm specializing in AI expertise, reinforcing the commitment of governments to foster innovation and applied technology in public services.
