Artificial intelligence technology is increasingly being integrated into healthcare systems to support both clinicians and patients, as doctors and hospitals explore tools designed to improve efficiency, reduce burnout, and help patients understand their care. In a recent CBS Chicago report, experts from institutions like UChicago Medicine and Northwestern Medicine discussed how AI isn’t just a futuristic concept — it’s already being used in day-to-day clinical environments.
One of the key innovations highlighted is ChatGPT Health, a platform from OpenAI that allows users to upload medical information — from lab results to doctor visit notes — and ask questions to better prepare for appointments or navigate medical topics. While the tool does not diagnose or treat patients, it can help users make sense of complex medical information, explore wellness resources, and enhance conversations with their care teams.
Hospitals are also adopting AI to support clinicians directly. At UChicago Medicine, for example, an AI-powered note-taking tool called Ambient automatically records patient visits and generates detailed clinical documentation, freeing doctors from time-consuming paperwork. According to the hospital, use of this tool has helped reduce physician burnout significantly, with reported drops in burnout rates among clinicians using AI-assisted documentation.
Beyond administrative support, healthcare organizations nationwide are exploring AI tools for a wide range of tasks — from analyzing complex records and flagging risks to assisting with patient communications. However, experts caution that AI should augment, not replace, clinical judgment, and privacy and accuracy remain central concerns in how these technologies are deployed.
