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. 2024 Oct 4:3:e57673.
doi: 10.2196/57673.

The Utility and Implications of Ambient Scribes in Primary Care

Puneet Seth #  1 , Romina Carretas #  2 , Frank Rudzicz #  3   4
Affiliations

The Utility and Implications of Ambient Scribes in Primary Care

Puneet Seth et al. JMIR AI. .

Abstract

Ambient scribe technology, utilizing large language models, represents an opportunity for addressing several current pain points in the delivery of primary care. We explore the evolution of ambient scribes and their current use in primary care. We discuss the suitability of primary care for ambient scribe integration, considering the varied nature of patient presentations and the emphasis on comprehensive care. We also propose the stages of maturation in the use of ambient scribes in primary care and their impact on care delivery. Finally, we call for focused research on safety, bias, patient impact, and privacy in ambient scribe technology, emphasizing the need for early training and education of health care providers in artificial intelligence and digital health tools.

Keywords: AI; LLM; administrative burden; ambient scribe; artificial intelligence; digital scribe; documentation burden; electronic health record; large language model; organizational efficiency.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: PS is a paid advisor for a company that makes an ambient scribe solution. RC is employed by a company that provides technologies that integrate with ambient scribe solutions. FR is a shareholder of a company that makes an ambient scribe solution.

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