Embracing AI That Improves Time With Patients

Dr. Abby Abelson, Chair of the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases at Cleveland Clinic, shares her transformative experience with artificial intelligence (AI) scribing technology.
Before the advent of electronic medical records (EMR), documentation was done manually, allowing more physician-patient interaction.
EMR systems, introduced in the 1990s, improved data capture but reduced face-to-face consultation time with patients.
Cleveland Clinic implemented an AI scribing service, initially piloted with skepticism from Dr. Abelson, to improve documentation efficiency.
The AI scribe allows doctors to focus on patient interaction, generate complete and accurate notes, and recall additional care details.
By mid-2025, over 3,500 clinicians at Cleveland Clinic were actively using the AI scribe for 72% of their visits.
The AI scribe has positively impacted clinician well-being and life balance, offering enhanced documentation efficiency and reducing stress associated with charting.