Microsoft launches 'Dragon Copilot', a new AI assistant for doctors
On Monday, the company unveiled a new voice-activated AI assistant for doctors that combines capabilities from its dictation solution, Dragon Medical One, and its ambient listening solution, DAX Copilot, into a single tool.
A new AI tool to ease documentation
Called "Dragon Copilot," the assistant will help doctors quickly retrieve medical information and automatically draft clinical notes, referral letters, post-visit summaries, and more. Microsoft aims to alleviate the administrative burden on health-care professionals, which is a major source of burnout in the industry.
Clinicians currently spend nearly 28 hours a week on administrative tasks like documentation, according to an October study from Google Cloud.
"Through this technology, clinicians will have the ability to focus on the patient rather than the computer, and this is going to lead to better outcomes and ultimately better health care for all," said Dr. David Rhew, global chief medical officer at Microsoft, in a briefing with reporters.
A growing AI scribing market
Microsoft acquired Nuance Communications, the company behind Dragon Medical One and DAX Copilot, for about $16 billion in 2021. This acquisition positioned Microsoft as a key player in the competitive AI scribing market, which has gained traction as health systems seek tools to mitigate burnout.
AI scribes like DAX Copilot allow doctors to draft clinical notes in real time while consensually recording their visits with patients. Microsoft reported that DAX Copilot has been used in more than 3 million patient visits across 600 health-care organizations in the past month.
Several companies, including Abridge—which has raised more than $460 million, and Suki—with nearly $170 million in funding, have developed similar AI-powered documentation tools. However, Microsoft’s updated interface and expanded capabilities could help Dragon Copilot stand out in this growing market.
Seamless integration and advanced features
Dragon Copilot is accessible through a mobile app, browser, or desktop and integrates directly with multiple electronic health record (EHR) systems.
In addition to drafting clinical notes, clinicians can use natural language to refine their documentation and ask for additional details. Kenn Harper, general manager of Dragon products at Microsoft, explained that doctors can ask specific questions like, "Was the patient experiencing ear pain?" or request actions such as, "Can you add the ICD-10 codes to the assessment and plan?"
Physicians can also use Dragon Copilot for broader medical inquiries, such as, "Should this patient be screened for lung cancer?" and receive answers linked to resources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Early feedback from clinicians
WellSpan Health, which serves patients across 250 locations and nine hospitals in central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, has been testing Dragon Copilot with a group of clinicians.
Dr. David Gasperack, chief medical officer of primary care services at WellSpan, noted that the assistant is easy to use and more accurate than previous Microsoft offerings.
"We've been asked more and more over time to do more administrative tasks that pull us away from the patient relationship and medical decision making," Gasperack said. "This allows us to get back to that so we can focus on the patient, truly think about what's needed."
Availability and pricing
Microsoft declined to disclose the cost of Dragon Copilot but stated that its pricing structure is "competitive." Existing customers will find it easy to upgrade to the new tool.
Dragon Copilot will be available in the U.S. and Canada starting in May. The rollout will expand to the U.K., the Netherlands, France, and Germany in the following months.
"Our goal remains to restore the joy of practicing medicine for clinicians and provide a better experience for patients globally," Rhew said.
A new AI tool to ease documentation
Called "Dragon Copilot," the assistant will help doctors quickly retrieve medical information and automatically draft clinical notes, referral letters, post-visit summaries, and more. Microsoft aims to alleviate the administrative burden on health-care professionals, which is a major source of burnout in the industry.
Clinicians currently spend nearly 28 hours a week on administrative tasks like documentation, according to an October study from Google Cloud.
"Through this technology, clinicians will have the ability to focus on the patient rather than the computer, and this is going to lead to better outcomes and ultimately better health care for all," said Dr. David Rhew, global chief medical officer at Microsoft, in a briefing with reporters.
A growing AI scribing market
Microsoft acquired Nuance Communications, the company behind Dragon Medical One and DAX Copilot, for about $16 billion in 2021. This acquisition positioned Microsoft as a key player in the competitive AI scribing market, which has gained traction as health systems seek tools to mitigate burnout.
AI scribes like DAX Copilot allow doctors to draft clinical notes in real time while consensually recording their visits with patients. Microsoft reported that DAX Copilot has been used in more than 3 million patient visits across 600 health-care organizations in the past month.
Several companies, including Abridge—which has raised more than $460 million, and Suki—with nearly $170 million in funding, have developed similar AI-powered documentation tools. However, Microsoft’s updated interface and expanded capabilities could help Dragon Copilot stand out in this growing market.
Seamless integration and advanced features
Dragon Copilot is accessible through a mobile app, browser, or desktop and integrates directly with multiple electronic health record (EHR) systems.
In addition to drafting clinical notes, clinicians can use natural language to refine their documentation and ask for additional details. Kenn Harper, general manager of Dragon products at Microsoft, explained that doctors can ask specific questions like, "Was the patient experiencing ear pain?" or request actions such as, "Can you add the ICD-10 codes to the assessment and plan?"
Physicians can also use Dragon Copilot for broader medical inquiries, such as, "Should this patient be screened for lung cancer?" and receive answers linked to resources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Early feedback from clinicians
WellSpan Health, which serves patients across 250 locations and nine hospitals in central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, has been testing Dragon Copilot with a group of clinicians.
Dr. David Gasperack, chief medical officer of primary care services at WellSpan, noted that the assistant is easy to use and more accurate than previous Microsoft offerings.
"We've been asked more and more over time to do more administrative tasks that pull us away from the patient relationship and medical decision making," Gasperack said. "This allows us to get back to that so we can focus on the patient, truly think about what's needed."
Availability and pricing
Microsoft declined to disclose the cost of Dragon Copilot but stated that its pricing structure is "competitive." Existing customers will find it easy to upgrade to the new tool.
Dragon Copilot will be available in the U.S. and Canada starting in May. The rollout will expand to the U.K., the Netherlands, France, and Germany in the following months.
"Our goal remains to restore the joy of practicing medicine for clinicians and provide a better experience for patients globally," Rhew said.
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