Ambient AI assistants, which gained popularity in 2023, are making real-time documentation of patient encounters possible. This technology allows clinicians to focus more on patient interactions rather than spending significant time on paperwork. Dr. Ed Lee, Chief Medical Officer of Nabla, highlights that documentation can take him up to 45 minutes for complex patients, but with Nabla, he can click once at the end of a visit to generate an accurate record of the consultation.
The use of these AI assistants may enhance patient engagement, as patients perceive that they receive more undivided attention from their physicians. Alexandre LeBrun, co-founder and CEO of Nabla, notes a positive response from patients who appreciate the focused interaction and the quality of care evident when their doctors use technical language.
Nabla also integrates features that automate pre-charting, organize patient information in electronic health records (EHR), and assist with coding for billing purposes. These automated tasks aim to streamline clinical workflows and reduce administrative costs within healthcare institutions. The company is developing agentic AI, an advanced platform designed to connect various tools used by clinicians to simplify interactions. LeBrun describes a scenario where a cardiologist can retrieve vital patient information and generate summaries through voice commands, all before the patient enters the office.
Dr. Lee emphasizes the need for education regarding AI technologies to ensure that healthcare professionals understand their functionality, benefits, and limitations. He advocates involving frontline users in the development process to promote a culture of inclusivity.
Trust remains a critical element in the medical field, according to LeBrun. Ensuring accuracy and clarity in AI outputs is vital for building this trust. The effective integration of AI into existing workflows is also necessary, so clinicians do not face increased complexity in their tasks. Overall, the goal of AI in healthcare is not to replace human decision-making but to support clinicians, allowing them to devote more time to patient care.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1125697/leveraging-the-clinicians-expertise-with-agentic-ai/