The AI scribes represent such a step forward that physicians fear they may ultimately intensify burnout—speeding up doctor-patient interactions so much that health care systems will eventually demand that clinicians take on more patients in a typical day. Dr. Fischer acknowledged this “is a major concern.” She added, “Any system where a health care institution makes more money for a higher number of visits will aim to increase the number of visits.”
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ACEP Now: August 2025 (Digital)In the meantime, AI scribes seem to be already increasing autonomy for many emergency physicians. “It has helped a bit with how I structure my patient encounters and how I chart,” Dr. Walker said. “Ambient scribes give me back flexibility and control.” That, of course, is a good thing.
Maura Kelly, a health writer, is a special contributor to Annals of Emergency Medicine. She has done consulting work for PHTI.
References
- Sanford J. U.S. physician burnout rates drop yet remain worryingly high, Stanford Medicine-led study finds. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/04/doctor-burnout-rates-what-they-mean.html. Published April 9, 2025. Accessed July 7, 2025.
- Peterson Health Technology Institute. Leading health systems: AI-powered scribes alleviate clinician burnout; financial impact unclear. https://phti.org/announcement/ai-scribes-reduce-clinician-burnout/. Published March 25, 2025. Accessed July 7, 2025.
- Olson E, Rushnell C, Khan A, et al. Emergency medicine residents spend over 7.5 months of their 3‐year residency on the electronic health record. AEM Educ Train. 2021;1;5(4):e10697.
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2 Responses to “AI Scribes Enter the Emergency Department”
August 17, 2025
GRWIf you are not using an AI scribe you are already behind. It is practice changing.
And best of all, they are completely free.
There are multiple free AI scribes. Doximity is one. Open the app, activate the scribe, leave phone at bedside.
Talk through your physical. Tell the patient what diagnoses you are thinking of and which you don’t think they have. And what testing and treatment you have planned.
AI will catch EVERYTHING! Return to your desk, review and edit it, cut and paste into the EMR as a single complete note from the desktop browser (automatically syncs).
You can just go from patient room to patent room this way. No need to go back to your desk just to capture your note.
Have a complex case? It is completely documented with a cut and paste.
And the AI scribes are excellent and accurate. You just have to articulate your thinking. I also repeat the patient’s history back to them: so you’ve had 4 days of RUQ pain that is now severe etc etc….
If you are not using an AI scribe, please please please fool around with the Doximity scribe practice interviewing a friend or family member. It is life and practice changing. And not an exaggeration.
August 19, 2025
Brian MarcksAt least from a billing perspective, most of the necessary charting is in the MDM- something with which a scribe wouldn’t help.
Obviously a good HPI is helpful for records but I’m a little skeptical that this will be a huge game changer.