The AI Tool Northwestern Medicine Uses to Reduce Clinician Burnout
Technology Eases Burden of Administrative Work, Enhances Focus on the Patient
Today's physicians are at higher risk for burnout relative to other workers. Although the causes vary, many attribute it to excess work-related stressors including time limitations, especially in patient visits or documentation, culture of organization and lack of control over the work environment.
A national survey found that physicians who use electronic health record systems were at increased risk of burnout, highlighting the unintended impact of digital workflows. Clinicians are expected to handle a greater volume of patients while maintaining meticulous and thorough notes. This often means spending a significant amount of time catching up on administrative tasks during - and after - work.
What's more, all of this takes away from what matters most: the patient
Embracing AI: How DAX Copilot Works
DAX Copilot is an AI-powered tool that transcribes conversation during patient visits for clinical note documentation. The system uses ambient AI listening to capture the discussion during in-office or telehealth visits and converts it into clinical documentation. Since it is embedded within Epic, the electronic health record system, DAX Copilot captures the notes in the patient’s chart within seconds and follows HIPAA guidelines for safety.
With DAX Copilot, instead of focusing on the keyboard, the clinician can better focus on the conversation and the patient.
How AI Addresses Burnout
The Impact of Implementation
The outcomes since implementing DAX Copilot include:
12% to 17%
decrease in documentation time per physician, per month
88%
of clinicians say it is easier to converse with patients
80%
of clinicians say they are less likely to leave medicine and the organization
5
additional appointments per clinician, per month
Once DAX Copilot is fully integrated into the workflow, benefits continue to emerge. Ten months after implementation, all users reported a decrease in “pajama time,” a term used to describe clinicians working outside of the office, often on administrative tasks. Pajama time is considered a major contributor to burnout.
“Northwestern Medicine is committed to providing a superior work environment that promotes well-being. DAX Copilot has allowed many of our physicians to reduce the time spent on burdensome paperwork and documentation,” says Gaurava Agarwal, MD, vice president and chief wellness executive at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare. “Perhaps just importantly, many have reported lower cognitive burden as they are able to untether themselves from the computer.”
DAX Copilot has allowed many of our physicians to reduce the time spent on burdensome paperwork and documentation
Gaurava Agarwal, MD, Vice president and chief wellness executive at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
AI Helps Improve the Patient Experience
DAX Copilot is not only saving clinicians time but also improving the patient experience too.
“I love that I can have better eye contact with my patients as opposed to my keyboard. DAX Copilot allows me to be a better listener,” says Douglas L. Ambler, MD, an internal medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine.
Patients report that the notes are detailed, yet easy to understand. They’ve also felt as though their physician was more present during the appointment.
DAX Copilot helps clinicians put their patients first, while supporting their well-being.
I love that I can have better eye contact with my patients as opposed to my keyboard.
Douglas L. Ambler, MD, Internal medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine
