Parent Perceptions of Virtual and Artificial Intelligence Scribes at Pediatric Medical Visits

BACKGROUND: Scribes help physicians decrease electronic medical record documentation burden. There is transition from virtual to artificial intelligence (AI) scribes. A gap exists in our understanding of parent perspectives on technology-based scribe use at pediatric medical visits.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to explore parent perceptions of pediatric medical visits of lived experience with virtual scribe presence and consideration of hypothetical AI scribe use.

METHODS: Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with parents of children aged 0 to 17 who visited 1 of 11 primary care pediatricians who worked with virtual scribes at a Midwestern clinic system. Parents were asked to reflect on visits with virtual scribe presence and their perceptions of hypothetical AI scribe use. Interviews were conducted by 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 parents, including 76% females, with a mean age of 40.30 years (standard deviation [SD] = 11.33). Two themes emerged regarding virtual scribe presence. First was that Parents felt heard, seen, and valued. Parents perceived greater focus and attention from the pediatrician. Second was Building trust in a third-party listener. Parents noted elements that built trust and overall low noticeability of scribe. Two themes emerged regarding hypothetical AI scribes. First was Valuing human information processing. Parents described concerns about AI accuracy and security and greater trust in human understanding. Second was AI as an Efficient workforce. Parents noted potential benefits for cost, reliability, and documentation.

CONCLUSION: Parents described enhanced pediatrician connection at lived experience visits with virtual scribe presence. When considering hypothetical AI scribes, they perceived possible benefits but overall concerns for accuracy, security, and understanding. Studies of parents who experienced AI scribe presence at pediatric medical visits would be helpful to assess their perceptions of positive elements, benefits, and concerns.