Randomized Trial Protocol: Epic Generative AI Chart Summarization Tool to Reduce Ambulatory Provider Cognitive Task Load

Abstract

Background: EHR documentation and chart review contribute to clinician workload and burnout. To alleviate pre-charting burden, Epic has released a new generative AI chart summarizer tool, which has become widely adopted; however, its impact has not been examined in randomized trials. Objective: To evaluate whether access to an Epic generative AI chart summarization tool reduces cognitive task load among ambulatory providers compared with usual care. Methods: Two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial among ambulatory clinicians across multiple specialties. Clinicians will be randomized 1:1 to tool access versus usual care for 90 days. The primary outcome is change in a 4-item physician task load (PTL) adapted for the pre-charting task. Exploratory outcomes include EHR-derived time metrics (Caboodle and Signal), professional fulfillment/burnout (PFI), usability (SUS), clinician satisfaction, aggregated patient experience item from CG-CAHPS, and reported safety related metrics. Ethics and Dissemination: Analyses will use clinician-level survey responses and aggregated EHR metrics; no patient-level protected health information will be included in the analytic dataset. Results will be disseminated via preprint and peer-reviewed publication.

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