Using AI to improve how doctors document patient visits
Official title: Helping Doctors Doctor: Using AI to Automate Documentation and "De-Autonomate" Health Care
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10928718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help doctors spend less time on paperwork by using smart technology to listen to their conversations with patients, making it easier for them to focus on providing you with better care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,137,500 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1LM014558-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who frequently engage with healthcare providers in outpatient settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have regular interactions with healthcare providers or those receiving care in non-ambulatory settings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to streamline the documentation process during clinical encounters by developing advanced AI algorithms that can listen to conversations between patients and doctors. By automating the collection of relevant data and integrating it with existing electronic health records, the project seeks to reduce the time clinicians spend on paperwork, which currently takes about two hours for every hour spent with patients. The approach utilizes cutting-edge technologies in natural language processing and machine learning to create more efficient and meaningful documentation. This could lead to improved clinician satisfaction and better patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce clinician burnout and improve the quality of patient care by allowing doctors to focus more on their patients rather than paperwork.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using AI for documentation, but this approach aims to innovate beyond existing solutions, making it a novel endeavor.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Kevin B. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Kevin B.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.