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Date

2025

Abstract

Background: Since its implementation in 2023, Abridge has rapidly transformed family medicine practices across the UVM Health Network by facilitating documentation. However, there remains significant clinician apprehension regarding the utility and safety of this technology, preventing further adoption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify concerns and benefits held by family medicine clinicians regarding the use of Abridge.

Methods: Clinicians at the UVM-CVPH FM Center were invited to complete a survey about Abridge. The survey included modified elements adapted from Esmaeilzadeh (2020). Data was collected using Google Sheets. Respondents who are not permitted to use Abridge were excluded from analysis. Key themes were identified, and data was expressed as counts.

Results: 15 clinicians were approached (100% response rate). 11 clinicians were permitted to use Abridge and subsequently included: 5 attending physicians (80% early-career [< 10 yrs], 20% late-career [>30 years]), 4 residents (PGY-2/3), 1 NP, and 1 PA. 4 clinicians used Abridge. Users identified time saving, improved quality of time with patients, and reduced cost of care as benefits of its use. Users expressed concerns about unauthorized access to patient information, climate impact, and inaccurate documentation. Non-users, including all residents surveyed, (n=7) do not use the software due to time inefficiency, burdensome account set-up, poor note quality, and/or depersonalization of the encounter.

Discussion: Attitudes and beliefs surrounding Abridge starkly contrasted between users and non-users, especially regarding perceived time-saving benefits. Security concerns, climate impact, and poor note quality remain otherwise significant concerns.

Conclusion: Future training initiatives should emphasize efficient use of Abridge with emphasis on resident workflow, actionable security measures, and climate impact for potential users to make more informed decisions regarding its use.

Clinical Site

Family Medicine Center, UVM Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

Keywords

family medicine, artificial intelligence, Abridge, concerns, benefits, survey, clinician, physician

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Disciplines

Medical Education | Primary Care

Attitudes and Beliefs on the use of Ambient Artificial Intelligence in a Family Medicine Practice: A Survey Study

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