1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Artificial Intelligence in action

Posted by jeff97 @jeff97, 2 days ago

I just got a notice from my rheumatologist to update my information in the patient portal prior to an upcoming appointment. While I was updating my information, I had to sign a form saying it's ok for them to use AI during the appointment. The form said they will be using a new AI tool that listens to the doctor and patient interacting during the appointment, and then summarizes the interactions in a first draft of clinical notes for the doctor. The doctor then reviews that draft and makes any necessary changes.

I hadn't realized the AI technology was that far along.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

DadCue | @dadcue | 1 day ago
In reply to @jeff97 "That's interesting that you bring up EPIC. I wasn't familiar with Epic until you mentioned it,..." + (show)
@jeff97

That's interesting that you bring up EPIC. I wasn't familiar with Epic until you mentioned it, but when I googled "can artificial intelligence process epic medical records" there were a lots of matches, including several from Epic. Here is an interesting article that probably describes what is going on at my rheumatologist's office, where the AI listens and then summarizes the office visit - https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/how-epic-using-ai-change-way-ehrs-work. In that article the Epic head of research says the doctors using AI should make sure humans are making the final decisions.

It's interesting too where you say prednisone is listed as one of your medical problems. In my medical chart, GCA, prednisone, and Actemra are listed as my major medical issues.

Jump to this post

"It's interesting too where you say prednisone is listed as one of your medical problems. In my medical chart, GCA, prednisone, and Actemra are listed as my major medical issues."
-----------------------------
My list of medical problems is rather long but most things have improved or have been resolved. Actemra hasn't made my problem list yet even though I have taken it for more than 5 years.

I was a bit surprised too when I first saw my treatment with prednisone for PMR was one of my medical problems. It first started to show up on my problem list after 2 years on prednisone. The longer I took prednisone, the more I realized it was one of my problems.

I don't know exactly when but the focus of subsequent rheumatology visits were more and more about how much prednisone I was taking and less and less about PMR. After 10 years of being treated with Prednisone, I tactfully accused my rheumatologist of prescribing Prednisone to me in the first place if it was my main problem. I was more concerned about my inability to taper off Prednisone.

In the notes from my last rheumatology visit, I'm quoted as saying, "I never want to be off Actemra." That wasn't true. I specifically asked my rheumatologist if Actemra could be stopped. The response was about what happened the last time Actemra was stopped. That was when I said, "I never want to stop Actemra IF I relapse and go back to the pain and had to take prednisone again.

I truly want to be off Actemra! I can see how Epic and AI could be integrated. Apparently they are integrated already but context, facial expressions and subtle ways of communicating are also important.

REPLY
1 reply
jeff97 | @jeff97 | 1 day ago
In reply to @dadcue ""It's interesting too where you say prednisone is listed as one of your medical problems. In..." + (show)
@dadcue

"It's interesting too where you say prednisone is listed as one of your medical problems. In my medical chart, GCA, prednisone, and Actemra are listed as my major medical issues."
-----------------------------
My list of medical problems is rather long but most things have improved or have been resolved. Actemra hasn't made my problem list yet even though I have taken it for more than 5 years.

I was a bit surprised too when I first saw my treatment with prednisone for PMR was one of my medical problems. It first started to show up on my problem list after 2 years on prednisone. The longer I took prednisone, the more I realized it was one of my problems.

I don't know exactly when but the focus of subsequent rheumatology visits were more and more about how much prednisone I was taking and less and less about PMR. After 10 years of being treated with Prednisone, I tactfully accused my rheumatologist of prescribing Prednisone to me in the first place if it was my main problem. I was more concerned about my inability to taper off Prednisone.

In the notes from my last rheumatology visit, I'm quoted as saying, "I never want to be off Actemra." That wasn't true. I specifically asked my rheumatologist if Actemra could be stopped. The response was about what happened the last time Actemra was stopped. That was when I said, "I never want to stop Actemra IF I relapse and go back to the pain and had to take prednisone again.

I truly want to be off Actemra! I can see how Epic and AI could be integrated. Apparently they are integrated already but context, facial expressions and subtle ways of communicating are also important.

Jump to this post

I think the prednisone and Actemra both made my top priority problem list immediately when I started them because the rheumatologist considers both of them to be high risk drugs that should be discontinued as soon as possible, while also managing my GCA and PMR.

I'm still tapering prednisone, and I don't think I'll be off Actemra for a while, so I can't speak to getting off of them.

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pmrsuzie | @pmrsuzie | 1 day ago

I see several specialists and every visit we go over current meds yet meds I have discontinued are still listed. My 'diagnosis' list keeps growing. Hypertension is first on the list at my pcp and each specialist has the condition I'm seeing them for listed first.
If AI is going to transcribe everything I say, I think I would like to proofread what's actually going on my chart. Once something is on your medical record, I think getting it corrected would be difficult.

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grumpa | @grumpa | 1 day ago

At my last rheumatologist I had the same experience.

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jenbillig | @jenbillig | 8 hours ago

Yes, my son is a Dr and uses it also. It’s another “assistant”

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