According to Gizmodo, doctors at major health systems like Jefferson Health and Penn Medicine are now using ambient AI scribes during patient visits after obtaining permission to record conversations. The technology records doctor-patient discussions and converts them into organized medical notes, with recent studies published in JAMA Network in February, August, and October of this year highlighting the tool’s usefulness. Research involving 46 participants found these AI systems increase clinician efficiency, reduce documentation burden, and improve patient engagement. Doctors like Bracken Babula and Dina Francesca Capalongo report the technology has transformed their exam room dynamics, allowing them to maintain eye contact and be more present during consultations.
Why this matters
Look, anyone who’s been to a doctor knows the frustration of talking to someone who’s staring at a screen instead of making eye contact. I’ve been there—you’re trying to explain something important while your physician types away like they’re in some kind of medical transcription competition. The promise here is huge: doctors who can actually focus on patients instead of paperwork.
And honestly, as someone who used to transcribe interviews manually, I get it. When I finally started using recording tools, it was revolutionary. Suddenly I could have real conversations instead of frantic typing sessions. Doctors are basically experiencing that same shift—they’re getting their attention back.
The problem with perfect
Here’s the thing though: medical notes aren’t just transcripts. They require understanding what’s medically significant versus what’s background noise. If my transcription tool messes up a quote, we run a correction. But if an AI scribe notes the wrong medication dosage? That could literally kill someone.
The tools apparently struggle with accents too, which raises serious equity concerns. And let’s talk about privacy—medical conversations are incredibly sensitive. What happens when patients don’t want their deepest health concerns recorded by an AI system? Healthcare systems will need to figure that out fast.
The bigger picture
Basically, we’re watching another industry get transformed by AI, but healthcare isn’t like other sectors. The stakes are just higher. Harvard bioethicist I. Glenn Cohen told the outlet that health systems need to be “careful adopters” and really “kick the tires” before rolling this out widely.
And you know what? He’s absolutely right. The success of this technology won’t depend on how well the AI listens, but on the guardrails and integration processes that healthcare systems put in place. We’re talking about people’s lives here, not just productivity metrics.
The studies show real benefits, but the implementation needs to be thoughtful. This isn’t just about making doctors’ jobs easier—it’s about maintaining trust in medicine while embracing helpful technology. That balance is everything.
