Have you ever felt your doctor was more focused on their screen than on you?
It’s not your imagination and it’s not their fault. Mental health clinicians often spend a large portion of their day writing notes, sometimes up to 35% of their time. That’s time taken away from the kind of presence and focus that makes consultations feel personal and effective.
Now, something is changing.
Thanks to artificial intelligence, a new kind of assistant—called an AI scribe—is helping clinicians shift their attention back where it belongs: on you.
These tools listen in on a session (with consent) and generate a draft of the clinical notes, freeing up your clinician to engage more deeply, maintain eye contact, and build a stronger connection. For many, it’s already transforming the therapy experience: less time documenting, more time connecting.
In this article, we’ll explain what AI scribes are, how they work, and why they may already be quietly improving your care.
What Exactly Is an AI Scribe?
An AI scribe is a smart software tool that listens to a consultation and creates written notes, similar to the auto-transcription features you may have seen on Zoom or Teams.
These tools are designed specifically for clinical settings and must meet strict privacy and security standards. Some AI scribes work as standalone apps; others are integrated into clinical software. They can also be tailored—just like ChatGPT—to produce the kind of notes a clinician prefers, whether dot points or narrative summaries.
From Burnout to Presence: Why AI Scribes Matter
The biggest change is time. AI scribes can save 2–3 hours per day. This is time that clinicians can redirect toward patient care, deeper reflection, or even just taking a breath between appointments.
But the real win is presence. With a scribe capturing the details, clinicians no longer have to split their focus between typing and listening. Research shows that eye contact and active listening strengthen therapeutic rapport, trust, and communication.
For patients, that means a deeper connection and a more attentive experience.
Some clinicians using AI scribes have even shown patients how the system works and many patients are amazed by how accurate and efficient it is. It often becomes a conversation point that enhances trust.
Some scribes can even summarise the clinical impression and plan, offering suggestions based on what was said. While these are always reviewed by the clinician, they can be surprisingly helpful in pulling together key themes from the session.
Documentation accuracy is also improved. At the end of a long day, human memory isn’t perfect. A well-set-up scribe helps ensure notes are consistent, complete, and clear – tailored to each clinician’s preferred style.
Real Stories from the Front Line of Care
At Pandion Health, many clinicians now use AI scribes. As part of our consent process, we let clients know that this tool may be used, and we always welcome feedback or preferences.
Many of our clinicians use Heidi, a secure AI scribe platform, and report an excellent experience with its accuracy, efficiency, and ease of use.
The response so far? Extremely positive.
Clinicians report that they feel more connected during sessions and less drained afterward. One psychiatrist described it as “the single biggest improvement in how I work in years.” Another shared how they showed a patient the scribe in action, and the patient was stunned by how seamless and accurate it was.
Of course, it’s not flawless. Notes still need review, and occasional errors occur. But the overall impact has been a game-changer.
What to Know Before You Say ‘Yes’ to AI
While AI scribes are incredibly helpful, they’re still evolving. They’re not perfect. All notes are reviewed by the clinician, and the AI’s quality depends on the clarity and content of the conversation.
Some patients may feel uncertain about AI listening in. That’s completely valid. At Pandion, transparency is key: we always inform patients in our consent process and offer the option to opt out.
In terms of privacy, AI scribes must meet high security standards, similar to other cloud-based medical software. We also recommend clinicians enable two-factor authentication and follow best practices for digital safety.
Though some tools may miss visual observations unless spoken aloud, the technology is improving rapidly.
Where This is All Headed (And Fast)
AI is accelerating in healthcare and mental health is no exception.
We’re already seeing tools that suggest diagnoses or treatment plans. In time, AI scribes will likely become even more accurate, offering tailored suggestions based on diagnostic criteria and patient history.
Beyond scribes, mental health is being shaped by:
- AI-assisted therapy chatbots like Wysa and Woebot offering support between sessions
- Clinical decision tools that help identify risk, guide treatment, and monitor progress
- Session analysis that could track tone, emotion, and themes over time—potentially enriching how care is delivered
This is only the beginning.
Better Notes, Better Care – With You in Control
AI scribes are transforming mental health consultations by reducing the documentation load and allowing clinicians to fully focus on the person in front of them. That’s better care for you, and a better experience for your clinician.
While these tools are still developing, they’re already reshaping how we work and connect. And as always, your comfort matters most. If you have questions or prefer not to use AI transcription, just let your clinician know.