The Risks Of AI Scribe That Physicians Should Be Aware Of
AI scribes are incredible note taking tools that have transformed many practices. Notes that used to take forever is now done effortlessly with perfect grammar and clear formatting. With AI scribes, physicians can be more present with patients, making better eye contact and listening attentively. Relieved from the mental strain of navigating templates, they see more patients in the same amount of time without feeling drained. Their documentation metrics confirm the benefits - less time spent documenting, reduced cognitive fatigue and no after-hours charting, all while producing a good medical note. However, AI scribes come with their own risks—technical hiccups, subtle misinterpretations, legal concerns, and workflow disruptions. Understanding and addressing these challenges is the key to making the most of the benefits while ensuring accuracy and compliance.
How to Handle the Technical Glitches
AI-generated notes usually work flawlessly, but every once in a while, there's a glitch. After finishing a patient visit, you might reach for your AI note only to find it's not there. It might be because you forgot to hit record, the app had a hiccup, or the note didn't save properly. Whatever the reason, it can be frustrating. With cloud-based software, glitches are bound to happen occasionally, but patience is key as the system improves. When this happens, you're left having to recreate the note from memory, which defeats the purpose of using AI in the first place. You realize that the AI has been doing the remembering for you, and now without it, recalling details can feel like reaching for something that was never saved.
To avoid this, make it a habit to double-check that the recording is on before starting, verify the note is saved before moving on to the next patient, and stay calm when things go wrong. It's just a temporary setback, not a disaster, and you can always handle one patient the old-fashioned way.
The Importance of Proofreading Your Notes
Once you get your AI scribe working smoothly, you'll find yourself editing less and less—sometimes not editing at all. The notes become so well-structured that proofreading starts to feel unnecessary. After reading many polished notes, it's easy to assume they're all perfect. But, the AI scribe isn't flawless. It can make small errors, and you might not notice them unless you check. For example, if a patient with hematuria comes in and you plan to order tests, the AI might write, "Plan - Monitor hematuria," when you actually said, "Plan - Order CT urogram, urine cytology, and return for office cystoscopy." That's a big difference—“monitor” implies a more passive approach, while you wanted to take action. If you miss that, it could lead to follow-up issues.
Skipping proofreading is like forgetting to check your gas tank—you might make it for a while, but sooner or later, it will cause trouble. To avoid this, always review the entire note, paying extra attention to the Assessment & Plan. Be a little skeptical of AI's perfection and assume there's a small mistake to catch.
AI Scribe Documents What You Would Have Filtered Out
Before AI scribes, you had the discretion to filter out irrelevant details, like a patient casually mentioning a mole they've had for years unless it was truly important. But AI doesn't filter—it records everything. For example, during a routine exam, a patient might say, “I've had this mole on my back forever, but it hasn't bothered me. The AI would still record it as “Patient reports mole on back.” Later, if that mole turns out to be melanoma, the note could make it seem like you ignored a possible issue, even though it wasn't discussed in detail during the visit.
If the AI includes something you didn't assess, like a mole that wasn't evaluated, remove it or add a note like, “Patient mentioned mole on shoulder, but no concerns or symptoms addressed today.” Proofreading is crucial—since AI scribes don't filter out irrelevant details, reviewing your notes prevents any potential documentation issues.
Copy-Pasting Into the Wrong Chart
If your AI scribe isn't fully integrated with your EHR, you will need to copy and paste notes manually. It's not a big deal, but it does come with risks. It's only a matter of time before you paste a note in the wrong patient's chart, and that can be a big problem. For example, you're moving quickly, switching between patient tabs (maybe you've got too many open), and you accidentally paste Mr. Smith's knee surgery note into Ms. Lee's chart. A few hours later, you might realize the mistake or, worse, weeks later when a confused patient calls asking why their note says they had a knee operation when they've never had one.
To prevent this always take a moment to confirm the patient's name and date of birth before pasting. If possible, try to get your AI scribe directly integrated to your EHR system.
AI Scribe Fails To Capture Your True Intent
AI scribes can miss the mark when it comes to capturing your exact meaning. They don't understand context or nuance—they simply record what was said. For example, if a patient with asthma says, "I've been feeling better with my inhaler, but sometimes I still get short of breath," the AI might document it as - "Patient's asthma symptoms well-controlled with inhaler." This could make it seem like the patient's asthma is completely under control, which isn't true. If the physician relies on this note later, it could lead to the wrong treatment or missed follow-up.
To avoid this, always review notes carefully, especially when it involves treatment plans or important decisions.
When AI Changes Unpredictably
AI scribes rely on advanced language models from third-party providers, which improve over time. But sometimes, they also change in ways that can affect how your notes are generated. For example, you might have trained your AI to follow a certain style, but one day, you notice subtle differences—some familiar phrases are missing, or the note feels inconsistent. The AI isn't malfunctioning, the model has been updated.
To avoid this stay alert for subtle changes in your notes, like inconsistent phrasing or shifts in style. Review past notes now and then to ensure consistency, and if something feels off, contact your AI provider to check if there have been any updates. Don't worry—model drift is normal, but if a significant change occurs, flag it and adjust as needed.
Maintain Your Documentation Skills, Even When AI Is At Its Best
Relying too much on AI scribes can make you lose touch with your own documentation skills. While AI works like a charm, what happens if it's down for a day or a week? It's like relying too much on GPS for directions—you might forget how to find your way without it. Over time, you could lose the ability to document a case from scratch.
To avoid this, try manually documenting a patient visit every now and then to keep your skills sharp. Have personal templates or dot phrases ready for times when AI isn't available. And always review and refine your notes to stay actively involved in the documentation process.
Conclusion
AI scribes are here to stay, and they're making a real difference. Most physicians can't imagine going back to the old way. They've helped many physicians save hours a day, reducing documentation burden and allowing them to spend more time with patients. However, it's important to note that they're not perfect. They come with their own set of challenges, ones that didn't exist before, and users need to stay vigilant. The key to success is intentional use—proofreading when necessary, checking for missing details, and being mindful of what gets documented. If this is achieved, AI scribe is the best documentation tool ever used in healthcare.
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