Elation Survey Finds Nearly 40% of Primary Care Physicians Use AI-powered Tools for Daily Clinical Documentation
Survey of more than 200 clinicians highlights cautious optimism about improvements to primary care workflows that utilize AI for clinical decision making
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elation Health, the clinical-first technology company powering innovation in primary care, today announced the results of its latest AI in Primary Care survey of 291 primary care physicians, focused on the current sentiments, adoption patterns, critical concerns (defects), key behavioral insights (learnings), and explicit user desires (requests) regarding the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in primary care workflows. The analysis reveals 39.3% use AI-powered tools daily, specifically for clinical documentation.
The survey also revealed that clinicians have a clear hierarchy of needs when it comes to AI, with fundamental performance factors at the top of that hierarchy. With 59% of respondents in agreement, accuracy and reliability ranked as the most important factor when evaluating AI tools. Seamless workflow integration and ease of use followed at 22%, while efficiency and time savings (ROI) came in at 13%, and cost affordability at 6% (see Table 1).
Table 1: Most Important Factors in Choosing an AI Tool
|
Factor |
% |
|||
|
1. Accuracy & Reliability |
59 |
% |
||
|
2. Seamless Workflow Integration & Ease of Use |
22 |
% |
||
|
3. Efficiency & Time Savings (ROI) |
13 |
% |
||
|
4. Cost & Affordability |
6 |
% |
||
“Our survey confirms what we already suspected: clinicians are cautiously optimistic about AI’s potential, but they’re looking for thoughtful, trustworthy, affordable solutions that truly fit the realities of primary care,” said Sara Pastoor, MD, MHA, FAAFP, and director of primary care advancement for Elation Health. “At Elation, we’re applying AI in ways that are context-aware, and fit naturally into clinical and operational workflows to enable high-quality care hand in hand with long-term financial success.”
While the survey also affirmed the general attitude towards AI in clinical settings is predominantly positive, a notable segment remains neutral or skeptical. Although a combined 59% of respondents rate their sentiment as "Positive" or "Very Positive," 24% of respondents were “Neutral” in their sentiments about AI. This sizable group appears to be open to AI advancements but may be likely waiting for clear evidence of its value, reliability, and ease of use before fully embracing it. These findings reinforce how Elation approaches research and development with Elation's Innovation Labs that leverage a dynamic, interactive product development and testing framework to allow it to work shoulder-to-shoulder with clinicians and staff through design cycles, usability testing, and continuous in-product feedback. This ensures Elation is developing AI in ways that clinicians trust and find valuable.
Elation Health’s clinical-first approach to AI is distinguished by continuous, hands-on collaboration with primary care clinicians throughout the Elation Labs development process. Every new AI capability is shaped directly by clinician feedback, gathered through design cycles, usability testing, and ongoing in-product input. Elation’s iterative, transparent partnership with customers ensures that its AI features are clinically relevant, trustworthy, and seamlessly integrated into daily workflows, empowering clinicians while keeping the focus firmly on patient care.
The survey was conducted with 291 independent primary care clinicians who are current Elation Health customers. For more on the results from Elation’s State of AI in Primary Care Clinical Practice survey, visit here.
To join Elation's product developers for a live, interactive webinar to explore how ethical, clinician-designed AI embedded within the EHR is transforming primary care by reducing burnout, improving care quality, and empowering both clinicians and patients: register here.
About Elation
Elation Health is the clinical-first AI platform for primary care success. Trusted by over 36,000 clinicians and 20 million patients, Elation’s EHR and billing solutions combine proven clinical workflows with responsible, predictive AI - purpose built for primary care. The company’s clinical-first approach puts physicians at the center, delivering trusted, transparent innovation that saves time and sustains meaningful patient relationships. Elation Health is recognized as Best in KLAS for its commitment to excellence in primary care technology. Learn more at elationhealth.com and on LinkedIn.