AI Scribe Tools for Physician Workflow

(AIScribe RCT Trial)

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Disqualifiers: Trainees, Allied healthcare professionals, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

238 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a three-arm pragmatic RCT of 238 outpatient physicians at a large academic health system, randomized 1:1:1 to one of two AI scribe tools or a usual-care control group. The two-month study will observe and compare the effects of each tool prior to system-wide roll out of selected tool (anticipated Spring 2025). We will use covariate-constrained randomization to balance the arms in terms of physician baseline time in notes, survey-measured level of burnout, and clinic days per week. The primary purpose of the initiative is to improve quality, efficiency, and business operations at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Health, and this initiative is not being done for research purposes. The results of this operational initiative will inform the widespread roll out of AI scribe tools across all providers within the UCLA Health System. Nevertheless, the UCLA study team plans to rigorously examine and publish the impact of this intervention across the health system, which is why the study team pre-registered the initiative.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for outpatient physicians at UCLA Health who are part of a study to see if AI scribe tools can help with their work. Physicians will be chosen based on how much time they spend writing notes, their burnout levels, and how many days they work in the clinic each week.

Inclusion Criteria

Ambulatory care physicians within the UCLA Health system who held at least one half-day of clinic per week

Exclusion Criteria

Attendings who work exclusively with trainees

Trainee providers (e.g., residents, medical students) and allied healthcare professionals (e.g., RNs, PAs)

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomized to one of three groups to use AI scribe tools or continue usual care for documentation

8 weeks

Regular clinic visits as per usual care

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in documentation efficiency and physician burnout

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• AI Scribe tool provided by Vendor B
• Nabla AI Scribe tool provided

Trial Overview The trial is testing two different AI scribe tools against usual care without an AI tool. It's a three-arm randomized controlled trial where each physician has an equal chance of using either Vendor B's tool, Nabla's tool, or continuing normal practices.

Participant Groups

Group I: Vendor B of virtual AI scribe technology Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will utilize AI scribe tools from Vendor B and will continue their usual clinical documentation processes, supported by the scribe software, which integrates with the EHR and automatically adds the generated text to the note. The AI scribe tool is transcriptional and does not provide clinical decision support.

Group II: Nabla, Vendor of virtual AI scribe technology Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will utilize AI scribe tools from Nabla and will continue their usual clinical documentation processes, supported by the scribe software, which integrates with the EHR and automatically adds the generated text to the note. The Nabla AI scribe tool is transcriptional and does not provide clinical decision support.

Group III: No Scribe Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will not have access to AI scribe tools and will continue their usual clinical documentation processes

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+