Healthcare technology company Athenahealth has partnered with Nuance to launch an AI-based EHR solution.
The tool, athenaOne Voice Assistant Powered by Nuance, is a mobile-embedded, voice-driven digital companion that aims to streamline information retrieval and complete clinical tasks, hands-free, using athenaHealth’s EHR solution. The Voice Assistant uses commands to dictate patient documentation naturally and accurately, with the goal of saving time and improving the patient experience.
Documentation is a common cause of burnout among healthcare professionals, with 92% of physicians surveyed reporting one or more issues causing them to feel burned out on a regular basis, according to athenahealth. Of those surveyed, the leading cause of regular burnout is excessive documentation requirements. AI-based voice assistant technology could enable users to reallocate time with patients instead of on documentation.
Clinicians using the tech can document exams, create draft orders, retrieve clinical information, and review their schedule to accelerate tasks and save time. With widespread use, the AI-backed tool will also become more efficient over time, and athenahealth will continue to expand the number of available commands and introduce new use cases.
“As our data show, administrative requirements are taking too much time and attention away from providers, and it’s the responsibility of all EHR companies to decrease that burden so providers can spend more face time with patients,” Paul Brient, chief product officer for athenahealth, said in a statement.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."