302 - Parent Perceptions of Virtual and Artificial Intelligence Scribe Use in Pediatric Medical Visits

Publication Number: 1288.302

Kristin Kotleski, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States; Megan A. Moreno, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States; Karen Pletta, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States

Background: Virtual scribes assist physicians with documentation of the electronic medical record (EMR) and are associated with decreased EMR time and improved physician well-being. Artificial intelligence (AI) scribe use is increasingly common during medical visits. A gap exists in our understanding of parent perspectives on technology-based scribe use at pediatric medical visits.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore parent perceptions of virtual scribe use in past pediatric medical visits and views of potential AI scribe use.

Design/Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with parents of children ages 0-17 who see one of 11 pediatricians with virtual scribes at a Midwestern clinic system. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit across insurance types, including at least 33% of participants on Medicaid. Participants were asked to reflect on visits where the pediatrician worked with a virtual scribe and about their perceptions of potential AI scribe use. Interviews were conducted by 3 trained interviewers, recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcripts using grounded theory and the constant comparative method.

Results: Interviews were completed by 33 participants, including 76% females (Table 1) with mean age 40.30 (SD = 11.33). Two themes emerged regarding virtual scribes. First was Patient as Priority. Participants referenced awareness that pediatricians navigate many responsibilities during and after patient visits; with virtual scribe presence, participants perceived greater focus from the provider and feelings of prioritization during the visit. In the second theme, Building Trust in a Third-Party Listener, participants noted their awareness and low noticeability of the scribe, and established trust in their provider and healthcare system. Two themes emerged regarding AI scribes. First was Valuing Human Information Processing. Participants described accuracy and privacy concerns with AI, and greater trust in a human scribe. Second was AI as an Efficient Workforce. Participants noted decreased cost, bias, and reliable presence. Representative quotes shown in Table 2.

Conclusion(s): Parents described enhanced pediatrician connection and focus on the patient at visits with virtual scribes. With AI scribes, it would be helpful to evaluate parents' experiences, such as with accuracy and privacy issues, to guide best practices before widespread adoption.

Table 1 Parent Perspectives of Virtual Scribes and AI Scribes at Pediatric Medical Visits: Demographics
Table 1 Parent Perspectives of Virtual Scribes and AI Scribes at Pediatric Medical Visits: Demographics

Table 2 Parent Perspectives of Virtual Scribes and AI Scribes at Pediatric Medical Visits: Representative Quotes
Table 2 Parent Perspectives of Virtual Scribes and AI Scribes at Pediatric Medical Visits: Representative Quotes