The Basics of AI in Surgery
This question recently came up in an online forum I am on:
The surgeon asked,?
... I'm strongly considering swapping from Dragon to an AI scribe after my colleague showed me what she was using.? It seemed faster than I could dictate, and it captured some key history information better than I could remember (I tend to max out as the number of symptoms increases and their timing varies).? The pricing seems reasonable too.??Have any of you used an AI scribe recently, and what were your experiences??Are there competitors that I should consider?
How Do I Start Using AI in My Surgical Practice?
Many surgeons and those in Medical device are thinking about AI know so I thought I would help give some insight on the current state of AI in the surgical sector.
As a CEO deeply embedded in the healthcare technology sector for over four years, I've observed a notable shift in the application of AI. Historically, major corporations, particularly in the insurance industry, have leveraged AI for over half a decade. It is encouraging to see a growing interest among clinicians in utilizing AI technologies. In my practice, the integration of AI has revolutionized our approach to documentation, reducing what used to be hours of work each week into mere minutes.
For those considering adopting AI solutions, it is crucial to begin with a foundational understanding of the AI landscape within healthcare. Clearly identifying the specific needs of your practice is an essential first step.
Understanding the Space
Currently, there are three primary categories of companies operating in this space. The largest group consists of those offering basic services, with the number of companies diminishing as the level of technology sophistication and potential benefits increase.
The major categories are AI Scribes, AI Authors, and AI Medical Assistants.
The main difference between AI scribe companies and those that author new notes lies in the scope and complexity of the documentation they produce:
AI Scribe Companies: (soon to be hundreds of companies)
Primary Function: These companies focus primarily on transcribing patient-provider interactions into medical notes. They use AI to listen to consultations and automatically transcribe the dialogue into structured notes such as SOAP formats.
Use Case: Ideal for healthcare providers who need real-time documentation during patient visits. This helps in reducing the administrative burden, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care.
Technology: Often leverages speech recognition and natural language processing to capture and transcribe spoken words into text.
Examples: Companies like DeepScribe and Scribe-X fall into this category, where the emphasis is on easing the real-time documentation workload for medical professionals.
Companies that Author New Notes: (a handful of companies)
Primary Function: These companies go beyond simple transcription to generate new types of documents from existing medical data. This includes creating referral letters, legal documents, prior authorization documents, and patient education materials.
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Use Case: Useful for practices that require extensive documentation beyond clinical notes, such as specialty clinics that need to send detailed referral letters or manage legal documentation.
Technology: Utilizes advanced AI capabilities to not only transcribe but also interpret and format complex documents according to specific medical and administrative requirements.
Examples: Athelas Scribe and Heidi Health, which can automatically generate referral letters and other specialized documents based on the input from clinical encounters.
Companies that offer AI Medical Assistants: (a couple companies)
These companies are trying to offer a transformative solution with a multifunctional role in enhancing clinical documentation, diagnosis, treatment suggestions, and patient engagement by providing actionable health insights. The technology being developed uses advanced artificial intelligence to assist healthcare providers in delivering personalized patient care and to help patients better understand their health conditions and care plans.?
Generative EHR/EMRs (emerging)
Generative EHR/EMRs are emerging as a significant advancement in healthcare technology. A notable example of this innovation is the collaboration between Epic and Microsoft, which has led to the integration of generative AI through Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service into Epic's electronic health record (EHR) system. This integration primarily aims to automate routine tasks, such as drafting messages and notes, thereby enhancing the productivity of healthcare providers by significantly reducing their administrative workload.
It is important to note, however, that Epic's foundational architecture is based on a database platform. This origin influences its corporate culture and strategic approach, which has historically focused on broad utility and compliance with governmental data reporting standards. Consequently, while Epic's solutions are reliable and functional, they may not always represent the most cutting-edge or optimal choice available in the market.?
Real transformation in healthcare technology is anticipated with the advent of Generative Electronic Patient Records (GPRs). If designed effectively, these advanced systems promise significant advantages over basic AI-driven scribe solutions, potentially revolutionizing patient record management and overall clinical efficiency.
First Steps
To identify a suitable AI scribe provider, I recommend conducting a thorough online search or utilizing platforms like ChatGPT to evaluate how well various companies align with your specific requirements. Given the burgeoning number of providers and the minimal differentiation among them, you are likely to find a solution that meets your immediate needs with relative ease.
I recommend assessing your short-term needs over the next six months and avoiding long-term contracts. Engaging with AI technology now is advisable, as it holds transformative potential for your practice. Additionally, exercise caution in committing to a single AI scribe provider. The competitive landscape in this sector is intensifying, and early commitment could lead to potential regrets if you find yourself constrained by a specific vendor. Seek solutions that meet your needs without limiting your future options.
In the next six months to two years, consider transitioning towards AI authoring companies and medical assistants to significantly reduce your administrative load. This strategy is one I am actively pursuing both in my sinus care practice and through my healthtech company, aiming to minimize administrative burdens substantially.
Fire up!