BOSTON — Beth Israel Lahey Health is rolling out an artificial intelligence-powered clinical documentation tool to all of its physicians following a successful pilot program, the health system and technology provider Heidi said.
The expansion comes after an initial deployment across a subset of providers showed strong adoption and high satisfaction rates, with officials citing the technology’s potential to reduce physician burnout and improve the clinical experience.
Beth Israel Lahey Health, one of the largest health systems in New England, has more than 6,000 providers across 14 hospitals and 175 primary care practices. Addressing burnout has become a priority, as nearly half of U.S. physicians report experiencing it, driven in part by documentation demands and administrative workloads.
“Leveraging innovative technologies is key to improving our workforce and patient experience,” said Rob Fields, M.D., executive vice president and chief clinical officer at Beth Israel Lahey Health. “Heidi has helped our clinicians by alleviating administrative burdens on their daily caseload.”
Heidi’s software uses ambient AI to generate clinical notes during patient visits, allowing physicians to focus more on patient interactions rather than documentation.
“Our work with BILH is a great example of what happens when clinicians themselves champion tools that feel natural and meet their unique needs when it comes to clinical documentation,” said Dr. Thomas Kelly, chief executive officer and co-founder of Heidi. “When you obsess over the end user experience and focus on genuine adoption instead of mandating implementation, you can make a meaningful difference in a clinician’s day-to-day life. BILH understood from the start that if you want clinical AI to stick, you can’t force a one-size-fits-all solution on people who spent a decade learning how to practice medicine their own way. Give them something that adapts to them, and you’ll see real usage.”
During a six-month trial involving about 1,000 providers, a majority adopted the tool. Survey results showed 89% of users were satisfied with the quality of notes generated, 88% said the system accurately captured complex medical terms, and 90% reported feeling more present with patients. In addition, 74% said their time spent on work outside regular hours decreased, while 82% reported reduced cognitive load during patient visits.
One physician described the tool as a “game changer” for documentation, noting that it allowed for greater focus on patients without the need for extensive note-taking during visits.
Health system officials said the rollout highlights the potential for AI-driven tools to provide immediate relief from administrative burdens while improving both clinician and patient experiences.
