Utilizing Natural Language Processing Tools to Help Reduce Physician Burnout: The Resident Perspective

In a symposium presentation, Kelly Reynolds, a third-year dermatology resident at the University of Michigan, discussed the potential of leveraging natural language processing (NLP) tools, including AI chatbots like ChatGPT, to mitigate physician burnout. This issue has become particularly pressing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly increased the volume of patient messages and associated work for physicians, contributing to higher burnout rates. Reynolds shared findings from a study she conducted, which evaluated the quality of AI-generated responses to patient questions compared to those created by dermatology providers. The study concluded that while AI could assist by generating preliminary responses, the quality and empathy of physician-generated replies were superior. Reynolds highlighted the efficiency that NLP tools could bring, estimating that they could save substantial time in patient communication, thereby allowing physicians to focus more on clinical work. Despite the promising capabilities of AI, she emphasized that these tools are not replacements for the physician but rather serve as aids in managing mundane tasks, ultimately aiming to improve physician well-being and patient satisfaction in dermatology and beyond.