Many primary care providers have discovered that they can expedite completion of EHR notes by using Nuances Dragon Medical One (DMO), voice recognition software. Dragon Medical One has 99% recognition accuracy, and proficient users can dictate at 160 words per minute, easily three time faster than most of us can type. By using DMO one can spend more time with patients and avoid needing to complete your unfinished charts at home (known affectionately as “pajama time”).
The magic behind Nuances software is Artificial Intelligence enabling computers to recognize patterns in words and phrases. Nuance is slowly rolling out what they are calling the Dragon Ambient Experience (DAX). Nuance software listens via a smartphone running the DAX application as a medical provider interviews a patient. After the provider performs an examination (vocalizing findings) the DAX application produces a structured medical note that can be incorporated directly into Electronic Healthcare record. No dictation is required, and providers can spend more time with patients as they no longer have the burden of dictating notes following a patient visit or completing these at the end of the day. Given the AI algorithms that power the DAX software will incorporate 3rd party extensions, I speculate that not only will DAX facilitate note completion but will, one day incorporate a clinical decision support system that will assist in offering diagnosis suggestions, recommend workup and treatment as well. Perter Durlach from Nuance, discusses the development and rollout of the DAX system in the interview. I can’t wait until I can use this in routine practice. Please stay tuned!
