New Report Finds AI Documentation Tools Show Potential to Ease Clinician Burnout

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered notetaking assistants are showing promise in reducing clinician burnout, though their financial value for health systems remains uncertain, according to a new analysis by the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI). The digital scribes capture clinician-patient conversations and generate draft clinical notes.

The PHTI report notes that approximately 60 AI scribe tools are being deployed across the health care sector. The market is competitive, with major players such as Microsoft and Oracle offering products alongside startups such as Abridge, Nabla, and Suki. Despite health care’s traditionally slow adoption of new technology, these tools have seen unusually swift uptake, driven by clinician burnout and staffing shortages.

Evidence of positive outcomes is emerging. Mass General Brigham reported a 40% relative reduction in clinician burnout over a 6-week pilot period, while MultiCare, based in Washington, cited a 63% decrease in burnout and a 64% improvement in work-life balance. Adam Landman, CIO of Mass General Brigham, described ambient documentation as “one of the most effective and impactful methods for enhancing the provider experience.”

However, financial impact of these tools is not yet clear. Health systems have not reported significant improvements in metrics such as increased patient volume or billing accuracy. While some leaders anticipate that AI scribes could eventually allow clinics to accommodate more patients, others caution that this could counteract progress made in reducing burnout.

Clinician uptake of the tools varies. The analysis found usage typically falls into 3 groups: frequent users, occasional users, and those who rarely or never use the scribes. Once deployed broadly, adoption rates tend to range between 20% and 50%.

Though the long-term financial return on investment is still being evaluated, the early promise of AI notetaking assistants lies in their potential to support clinician well-being and improve the quality of patient interactions, both pressing priorities for a strained health care workforce.

References

AI scribes lessen clinician burnout, but financial impact unclear: report. Healthcare Dive. Published March 27, 2025. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/ai-scribes-provider-burnout-financial-impact-peterson-health-technology-institute/743517/

Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Delivery Systems: Early Applications and Impacts. Peterson Health Technology Institute. Published March 2025. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://phti.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/PHTI-Adoption-of-AI-in-Healthcare-Delivery-Systems-Early-Applications-Impacts.pdf