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S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of healthcare, helping doctors spend less time behind a computer and more time with patients. At Avera, leaders say AI is designed to support caregivers, not replace them
AI is becoming a part of almost everyone’s everyday life, but it’s also becoming a bigger part of healthcare. But as healthcare providers adopt more AI tools, it’s important to remember the technology is meant to support providers, not replace them
Artificial intelligence is making its way into exam rooms and hospitals across the country. At Avera, one of the biggest changes is ambient AI, a tool that listens during appointments and drafts clinical notes, allowing providers to focus on the conversation rather than typing
“One way that AI is changing healthcare at Avera is through use of our Ambient AI scribe, so this allows the physician and the patient to really connect while the AI is taking notes in the background,” said Dr. Mara Hermiston, Chief Medical Officer with Avera Medical Group
Hospital leaders say the goal isn’t replacing the human connection; it’s strengthening it by removing distractions that can take attention away from patients
“AI is never going to replace that human connection; it should really be about removing distractions so that the heart of that relationship between that patient and that physician can be at the heart of every visit,” Dr. Hermiston said
AI is also being used behind the scenes in hospitals, from streamlining workflows to supporting care teams. But Avera says every AI-generated document is reviewed by a healthcare professional before
“When we think about AI and the integration into clinical care, we feel that it is very important that there is always a human in the loop. We always have a member of the care team who is verifying the content before it ever goes to the patient, before it ever goes to the health record,” Dr. Hermiston said
Leaders say that’s the balance they’re aiming for: using technology to improve efficiency while keeping people at the center of care
“Good conversations lead to good care. If we as physicians and patients can connect without having to worry about technology because that work is being done in the background, I really believe that we are going to be able to have fruitful conversations about your care; we’re going to be able to develop a care plan together,” Dr. Hermiston said
Avera says it expects AI tools to continue expanding but emphasized that healthcare providers, not AI, will remain responsible for medical decisions and patient care
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