Stanford Medicine has introduced a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help doctors explain lab and test results to patients. This tool creates an easy-to-understand draft message about the results, which doctors can review and approve before sending it to patients.
The AI tool is designed to save time on paperwork so doctors can spend more time caring for patients. It uses Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet model, integrated through Amazon Bedrock, to draft messages in plain language. This approach builds on similar AI tools already used at Stanford to handle patient messages.
“AI has great potential to improve both patient and doctor experiences,” said David Entwistle, CEO of Stanford Health Care. “This tool is just one way we’re using AI to make healthcare better for everyone.”
When doctors order tests like blood work or X-rays, the results are often too technical for patients to understand. This tool drafts a simple explanation, making it easier for patients to know what their results mean. Doctors still have full control—they can edit the message or choose not to use it.
During testing, the tool was used by several doctors, who shared positive feedback. They said it made writing clear and empathetic notes easier, helping patients feel more informed and reassured.
Currently, the tool is available to primary care doctors at Stanford Medicine, with plans to expand to specialists soon. The team will continue to improve the tool by analyzing its performance and gathering feedback from doctors.
“With this AI tool, we’re supporting better communication between doctors and patients,” said Michael Pfeffer, CIO at Stanford Health Care. “It’s another step toward making healthcare more efficient and patient-friendly.”
Source: medicalxpress
