INTRODUCTION
Burnout, a psychological syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion and a diminished sense of accomplishment in day-to-day work, is a significant concern within the medical community.1 Recent nationwide survey studies highlight the increasing prevalence of burnout among physicians, including a 2021 study by Shanafelt et al showing 62.8% of physicians reporting at least one symptom of burnout, compared to 45.5% in 2011.2 The 2024 Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report corroborated this finding, reporting that 49% of surveyed US physicians experienced burnout compared to 42% in 2018.3
Dermatologists in the United States are no exception, with reported burnout rates reaching 49% in 2023.4 Leading contributors are bureaucratic tasks (eg, charting, paperwork) and the computerization of practice due to electronic health record (EHR) systems.4-7 The burden of administrative tasks and the time-consuming nature of documentation processes in dermatology have led to clinician fatigue and compromised the efficiency of healthcare delivery.8,9
The impact of burnout among dermatologists extends beyond physician well-being and has negative implications for patient care quality.9 There is a growing concern regarding the time and attention given to patient interactions and clinical decision-making.10,11 Thus, there is a need to explore innovative solutions that alleviate burnout while optimizing documentation practices.8
In response, significant investments have been made in the healthcare sector, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). $6 billion in 2020 and over $8 billion in 2021 have been invested into the AI healthcare sector to fund the development of AI technologies seeking to improve healthcare delivery.12 Against this backdrop, recognition of AI-powered solutions and their potential to decrease burnout while enhancing patient care is increasing.
Integration of AI technologies, such as AI-powered patient documentation tools, promises to streamline administrative tasks, reduce clinician burden, and improve efficiency. One solution is AI assistants that use voice recognition, natural language processing (NLP), and artificial intelligence to learn and adjust to a physician’s documentation style.13,14 Using deep learning algorithms; these AI assistants have an advantage over existing voice recognition technologies with advanced natural
Dermatologists in the United States are no exception, with reported burnout rates reaching 49% in 2023.4 Leading contributors are bureaucratic tasks (eg, charting, paperwork) and the computerization of practice due to electronic health record (EHR) systems.4-7 The burden of administrative tasks and the time-consuming nature of documentation processes in dermatology have led to clinician fatigue and compromised the efficiency of healthcare delivery.8,9
The impact of burnout among dermatologists extends beyond physician well-being and has negative implications for patient care quality.9 There is a growing concern regarding the time and attention given to patient interactions and clinical decision-making.10,11 Thus, there is a need to explore innovative solutions that alleviate burnout while optimizing documentation practices.8
In response, significant investments have been made in the healthcare sector, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). $6 billion in 2020 and over $8 billion in 2021 have been invested into the AI healthcare sector to fund the development of AI technologies seeking to improve healthcare delivery.12 Against this backdrop, recognition of AI-powered solutions and their potential to decrease burnout while enhancing patient care is increasing.
Integration of AI technologies, such as AI-powered patient documentation tools, promises to streamline administrative tasks, reduce clinician burden, and improve efficiency. One solution is AI assistants that use voice recognition, natural language processing (NLP), and artificial intelligence to learn and adjust to a physician’s documentation style.13,14 Using deep learning algorithms; these AI assistants have an advantage over existing voice recognition technologies with advanced natural
