STAT+: After hospitals, patients get a turn to bring AI into the doctor’s office

STAT PlusHealth tech After hospitals, patients get a turn to bring AI into the doctor’s office Developers pitch their patient apps as diligent note-takers to keep track of encounters across the health system Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Katie PalmerJune 4, 2026 Health Tech Correspondent Katie Palmer[email protected]Katie covers the impact of health technology on patients, clinicians, and businesses. Her stories explore the price tag of clinical AI, digital health at the FDA, and the boom in direct-to-consumer telehealth. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at palmer.01. Patients are getting used to being recorded in the doctor’s office. More than a quarter of U.S. practices now use AI-based listening tools called ambient scribes, which capture visits in real time and draft clinical notes for clinicians to enter into patients’ medical records. But what happens when it’s the patient doing the recording?Advertisement Nearly every patient now has a recording device in their pocket, and commercial large language models have made it easier than ever for them to transcribe and interpret audio files. A growing number of consumer apps — with names like VisitRecall, Advoca Health, and AlignCare — are using AI to do just that, delivering summaries and action items for patients after the fact. One called Kin Health, with backing from the co-founder of GoodRx, announced a $9 million seed round in May. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — and get additional analysis of the technologies disrupting health care — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In Artificial intelligence, health tech, patients, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Katie Palmer Health Tech Correspondent Katie covers the impact of health technology on patients, clinicians, and businesses. Her stories explore the price tag of clinical AI, digital health at the FDA, and the boom in direct-to-consumer telehealth. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at palmer.01. STAT+ Newsletter A hitchhiker's guide to the health care AI galaxy Recommended First Opinion June 4, 2026 Lawmakers promised cancer patients would be protected from Medicaid cuts. Now CMS says otherwise First Opinion June 4, 2026 Grail’s multi-cancer early detection trial was negative. But as an oncologist, I see more to this story Advertisement STATus Report June 4, 2026 What happens at a longevity festival? Health June 4, 2026 Male puberty is understudied — but when it starts may predict long-term health risks Politics June 3, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump administration to strip job protections of top NIH officials, grants staff Subscriber Picks