AI Scribes May Improve Electronic Health Record Efficiency, Reduce Clinician Burnout

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago has found that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) scribes may significantly reduce the time spent interacting with electronic health records (EHRs), a contributing factor to clinician burnout. The study, published in the JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from 603 ambulatory clinicians at an academic health system and found that AI scribes may offer a promising solution to EHR-related burnout. Specifically, the study found that AI scribe users experienced significant reductions in median time in the EHR per appointment, from 22.2 minutes to 20.2 minutes, resulting in a 2.0-minute decrease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a strong association between time spent interacting with EHRs and clinician burnout, with AI scribes potentially offering a solution.
  • AI scribe users experienced significant reductions in median time in the EHR per appointment, from 22.2 minutes to 20.2 minutes.
  • The study found that AI scribe users also experienced significant reductions in after-hours time spent documenting ("pajama time") and time to close encounters.
  • The use of AI scribe was found to be effective in reducing clinician workload and improving documentation efficiency.
  • The study's results suggest that AI scribes may be a useful tool in addressing EHR-related burnout and improving clinician experience.
  • The study's findings have significant implications for the use of AI in healthcare, particularly in the context of EHRs.

Statistics:

  • 125 AI scribe users were included in the pre-post analysis, with 83 women (66.4%) and 69 (55.2%) with 10 years in practice.
  • 478 covariate-balanced AI scribe nonusers were included, with 267 women (55.9%) and 248 (51.9%) with 10 years in practice.
  • The median time in the EHR per appointment for AI scribe users decreased from 22.2 minutes to 20.2 minutes, resulting in a 2.0-minute decrease.
  • After-hours time spent documenting ("pajama time") decreased by 1.4 minutes for AI scribe users, from 5.5 minutes to 4.1 minutes.
  • Time to close encounters decreased by 5.1 minutes for AI scribe users, from 21.1 minutes to 16.0 minutes.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Research Conducted at University of Chicago Has Provided New Information about Electronic Medical Records (Use of an AI Scribe and Electronic Health Record Efficiency). Information Technology Newsweekly. October 21, 2025; p 701.
  • Use of an AI Scribe and Electronic Health Record Efficiency. JAMA Network Open, 2025;8(10).