JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Early studies in the outpatient setting have shown that artificial intelligence (AI) scribe technology reduces time spent on notes with improved clinic visit experiences for physicians and patients. As the emergency department (ED) presents a significantly different environment from the outpatient setting, there remains a pressing need to research the potential value of ambient scribe technology in the ED.

Objective:

This pilot study aimed to evaluate emergency physicians’ experiences using Nuance® Dragon® Ambient eXperience (DAX™) Copilot, an artificial intelligence (AI) scribe technology, and to compare it with in-person scribes and independent documentation.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 16 board-certified emergency and pediatric emergency physicians across four emergency departments within a single urban health system. Physicians were granted access to DAX Copilot and subsequently invited to complete an anonymous electronic survey administered via REDCap. The survey assessed baseline use of in-person scribes, experience with DAX Copilot, and comparative preferences among documentation methods.

Results:

Fourteen physicians (87.5%) completed the survey. Of these, 64.3% reported being satisfied or very satisfied with DAX Copilot, while 21.4% expressed dissatisfaction. When given the option, 50.0% preferred DAX Copilot, 28.5% preferred in-person scribes, and 0.0% preferred independent documentation. Among prior users of in-person scribes, 50% favored DAX Copilot. DAX Copilot was reported to improve documentation efficiency (71.4%) and reduce after-shift documentation time (64.3%). However, only 42.9% of respondents trusted the accuracy of DAX-generated notes, compared to 75% who trust in in-person scribes. Few respondents found DAX Copilot helpful for physical exams (21.4%) or medical decision-making documentation (21.4%).

Conclusions:

DAX Copilot shows promise in enhancing documentation efficiency and reducing administrative burden in the emergency department. While most physicians preferred AI-assisted documentation over independent charting, confidence in documentation accuracy and functionality remains limited compared to human scribes. Further research is needed to assess longitudinal outcomes and optimize AI integration into emergency workflows.