Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: athenahealth Research Finds AI Use Expanding Beyond Administrative Tasks in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
athenahealth has released new survey research indicating that artificial intelligence use in ambulatory care is moving beyond administrative automation and into early forms of clinical decision support. The findings, based on a national survey of more than 500 physicians and practice administrators, show clinicians increasingly relying on AI tools to consolidate patient data, surface clinical evidence, and flag details that may be missed across fragmented records. A majority of respondents reported using AI to streamline access to information and interpret lab, imaging, and chart data, signaling a shift toward more integrated use cases inside clinical workflows rather than isolated efficiency gains.
At the same time, the research highlights constraints that continue to limit AI’s impact in care delivery. Clinicians identified interoperability and incomplete data as the primary barriers, noting that AI systems remain bounded by the same information gaps that affect human decision-making. While leading adopters reported faster treatment decisions and fewer billing and coding errors, the survey also found that a significant share of clinicians face a learning curve as AI tools become more embedded in daily practice. The results suggest the sector is entering a transitional phase, where AI is beginning to support clinical judgment in meaningful ways, but widespread impact will depend on improvements in data integration, governance, and clinician training.