AI Scribes Reduce Physician Burnout by 60%, Improve Practice Satisfaction

A recent report by Phyx Primary Care reveals that primary care providers in smaller practices experience lower levels of burnout and greater job satisfaction when using ambient AI scribes. The findings suggest that AI-driven documentation tools could alleviate the pressures of clinical paperwork, encouraging more physicians to remain in the field.

Phyx conducted the study to evaluate the impact of ambient AI scribes on primary care providers, recognizing that physicians prefer firsthand insights from their peers on emerging technologies. The nonprofit surveyed 116 primary care physicians across 37 healthcare settings, with 80% of respondents working in small or independent practices. The survey also included professionals from larger healthcare systems.

Respondents reported that AI scribes improved the accuracy and detail of their clinical notes. Phyx gathered data using its proprietary “Primary Care Vital Signs” survey, assessing burnout levels, practice satisfaction, appointment duration, patient care time, and after-hours electronic health record (EHR) documentation.

“We realize that in our long history of working with physicians, they need to hear from doctors like them,” said Edmund Billings, CEO of Phyx. “So we wanted to understand how these products actually work in practice.”

Phyx selected Suki AI as the ambient documentation tool for the study, leveraging its prior collaborations with the organization. Billings noted that Suki is a leading player in the ambient AI space, making it a suitable choice for evaluation.

The study found that 60% fewer primary care providers reported feelings of burnout after integrating AI scribes into their workflow. Additionally, 81% of participants expressed greater satisfaction with their practice. Phyx attributed these results to reduced documentation strain, leading to improved work-life balance and overall well-being.

Physicians using Suki AI reduced time spent on note-taking by 41%, decreasing their overall documentation workload by 27%. More than half of respondents reported significant improvements in the quality of their clinical notes. Additionally, 44% stated that AI scribes enhanced their patient interactions.

The survey also highlighted broader work-life balance benefits. One in five physicians reported spending more time on direct patient care rather than documentation. A third of respondents noted a reduction in after-hours work.

Reflecting on the persistent issue of burnout, Billings emphasized its urgency. “The burden and burnout that primary care family physicians face is an epidemic, and it still is. It’s not getting much better. And we said, ‘This is urgent.’”

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated burnout, prompting Phyx to explore AI-driven solutions. 

Phyx’s report underscores the potential of ambient AI scribes to reduce administrative burdens, enhance documentation quality, and improve physician satisfaction. While many providers find value in AI-driven tools, the effectiveness of such technology may vary based on individual workflow preferences and documentation needs.