Unlocking the Future of Healthcare: A Deep Dive into Survey Results on AI Adoption and Perception in Healthcare
A new survey from Elation, highlights the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The study, which gathered insights from 100 primary care physicians (PCPs), reveals a compelling narrative: AI solutions are not only easing administrative workloads but are also viewed as a catalyst for improved clinical and financial outcomes.
AI’s Key Impact on Reducing Administrative Burden and Driving Practice Efficiency
A standout statistic from the survey is that 66% of PCPs report AI has significantly reduced their administrative burden. In fact, approximately two out of three doctors have experienced this shift, demonstrating the potential for AI to transform day-to-day operations in healthcare. Notably, 56% of respondents say that AI is saving them at least one hour per day, and 60% report AI has helped them run their practices more efficiently.
The survey also highlights that 68% believe AI has helped them experience less stress, and 60% feel AI has helped them find more joy in their work. This data underscores AI's role in making primary care more sustainable and less stressful.
Confidence in AI’s Broader Impact on Practice Performance
Physicians are also hopeful about AI’s impact on financial and operational efficiency. More than half (54%) are confident AI will improve their financial performance within the next year, and 39% believe it will increase their practice's revenue in the next two years. Looking ahead, 66% of PCPs believe AI will significantly improve practice operations and efficiency over the next two years.
Yet, while many PCPs see potential in AI, there are varying levels of confidence regarding patient outcomes. Only 42% believe AI will drastically improve patient outcomes within the next two years, and 35% say AI has helped improve their patients’ health outcomes so far. Meanwhile, 33% think AI will increase access to care within the same period, indicating lingering doubts about AI's impact beyond operational improvements.
Key Barriers to AI Adoption: Cost, Trust, and Time Constraints
Despite the positive outcomes, the survey also identifies significant barriers to AI adoption. Cost is the top concern for 50% of respondents, followed by a lack of trust in AI solutions (30%). Additionally, 27% of PCPs cite no time to research options or ongoing research as a hindrance. Interestingly, not a single respondent identified a “steep learning curve” as a barrier, suggesting that usability may not be as big a concern as previously thought.
Integration and Customization: Essential for AI Success
The importance of seamless integration is a recurring theme, with 65% of PCPs agreeing that AI solutions should be developed by their EHR vendor and built directly into their workflows. Furthermore, 83% believe AI solutions should be designed by healthcare experts to ensure they align with the realities of clinical care.
Dr. Sara Pastoor, Elation’s head of primary care advancement, emphasizes this point, stating: “AI scribing finally gives primary care physicians an affordable way to make greater time to care for their patients. And while it creates more space for the human experience necessary to promote better health, it also simultaneously captures more comprehensive and accurate documentation of that exchange than anything ever tried before.”
Mixed Sentiments on AI’s Clinical and Financial Benefits
While 60% believe AI will significantly reduce physician stress and burnout within two years, there is still skepticism. Only 38% say their AI solutions have met vendor expectations, with a large portion (45%) expressing no opinion. Moreover, 47% of respondents cite documentation burden as a top challenge they hope AI will address, and generated notes still requiring significant editing remains a common complaint among 29% of those who have not seen time savings from AI.
On the positive side, 63% believe AI will have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes over the next year, and 40% of PCPs say AI has enabled them to see more patients. However, only 58% are skeptical that AI will lead to drastic patient outcome improvements within two years, reflecting measured expectations.
Reallocating Time Savings: How PCPs Are Benefiting
For those who have saved time, the ways they’re reallocating it are varied. 31% spend more time outside the office, 29% focus on improving practice operations, and 26% use the time to grow their practice or conduct longer consults. These reallocation strategies highlight how AI can support both personal well-being and practice growth.
Challenges in Care Coordination and Integration
Despite these benefits, gaps remain in AI’s influence on coordination. 66% of respondents remain neutral on whether AI has improved staff coordination, and 43% are neutral about improvements in patient care coordination. This neutrality indicates that AI’s impact on collaboration and communication in healthcare may require further enhancement.
The Future of AI in Primary Care
Elation’s survey coincides with the launch of its native AI scribing technology, Note Assist. This new capability captures clinical conversations in real-time, transforming documentation seamlessly within Elation’s EHR. As the first of many AI-driven tools, Note Assist exemplifies the integration PCPs are calling for, paving the way for more efficient and less stressful clinical experiences.
Overall, Elation Health’s survey captures the duality of AI in primary care: while 60% agree AI is beneficial, and 66% report a decrease in administrative burdens, concerns around cost, integration, and clinical outcomes persist. The survey reveals a field in transition, where physicians are excited about the opportunities AI presents but are also navigating the challenges of adoption and implementation. As AI continues to evolve, innovators have the potential to unlock the promise of AI and help drive a more efficient, sustainable, and joyful future in medicine.
Learn more about how Note Assist is driving AI-powered scribing designed for primary care.
