Fostering compassion in AI-assisted clinical documentation: A mixed methods investigation of the role of critical reflection

Clinical documentation, such as chart notes and reports, can enable or constrain compassionate care. As ambient artificial intelligence (AI) takes on the task of writing clinical documentation, clinicians must be prepared to critically reflect on AI-generated documents to ensure they uphold their compassionate aims. Critical reflection involves thoughtfully examining assumptions and power dynamics shaping care. Wenonah and her Co-PI Victoria Boyd will examine how ambient AI and critical reflection impact how clinical documents are written in their study.  Using an experimental design, they will compare clinical notes from simulated patient encounters, written either with or without AI, and revised using either a standard prompt or critically reflective prompt. Results from this study will reveal if and how critical reflection supports compassionate AI-assisted documentation and offer timely guidance for health professions education and practice as AI become increasingly integrated into clinical care.