Curious about AI and chatbots in your practice? Browse AAN resources
October 16, 2025
Artificial intelligence is making headlines in nearly every industry—and health care is no exception. There are positives and negatives to these powerful tools, and many neurologists and other neuroscience professionals are already investigating to see how AI can support them and their patients.
“AI can help reduce provider burnout by streamlining administrative tasks, minimizing unnecessary clicks, and easing the documentation burden imposed by insurance companies,” said Allison Tobin, a neurology business administrator and member of the AAN Practice Management & Technology Subcommittee. “That said, it still requires oversight and a strong clinical foundation to be used effectively. We are working to educate our providers and patients about this technology so we can balance the risks (such as hallucinations) and privacy issues.”
Health care AI adopters like Tobin aim to increase practice efficiencies, enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and streamline clinical workflows.
AI resources for AAN members
Whether you’re skeptical or enthusiastic about AI’s potential, neurology-focused resources are available for you and your practice. For an overview of all things AI, especially generative AI, browse our AI resources page.
One specific AI tool that’s seen growing use across industries is the chatbot—a type of software that interactively “talks” with users. In the clinical space, chatbots can be used to help patients find resources, schedule appointments, answer common questions, send reminders, and even gather information from patients ahead of time.
Chatbots can be simple or advanced, and interested practices have a lot of options to consider, from basic interactive forms and surveys to adaptive AI-powered chatbots with learning capabilities.
For detailed information on chatbots and a set of case studies, visit our page on enhancing patient access with chatbots.
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How a neurology practice is using AI
Tobin works at Massachusetts-based North Shore Neurology with Louis A. Tramontozzi III, MD, a fellow member of the Practice Management & Technology Subcommittee. They’ve made strides to incorporate AI into their practice with the goals of reducing administrative burden, streamlining support, and allowing providers to focus more on the clinical side of patient care. Their first integration of the technology was to update their answering service.
“This system transcribes all voice messages into the patient’s chart within seconds and provides after-hours call coverage through an app that enables providers to securely text patients, manage prescriptions, and communicate directly with hospitalists,” Tramontozzi said.
This first attempt worked well, so Tobin and Tramontozzi continued to explore AI-powered tools—and found two more promising uses.
“We have also integrated an electronic pre-intake system that confirms all insurance and demographic information, electronic consents, reconciles medications, and even generates the HPI for that visit, which is directly from the patient and highlights the patient’s primary concerns,” Tramontozzi said. “Lastly, we are piloting ambient AI scribes to allow our providers to look away from their computers and concentrate on the patient in the room.”
They’re still exploring chatbot options and plan to go live with one before the end of the year. With so many options available, their advice with chatbots, other AI tools, or any new technology is to start with the basics and gradually add features over time.
“AI is undoubtedly the way of the future!” Tobin said. “With so many options available, it’s important to do your research, talk to other practices, take advantage of trial periods to thoroughly test AI tools, and don’t hesitate to switch vendors if another solution proves to be a better fit for your practice. We have found it to be useful to negotiate with vendors to avoid lengthy contracts or monthly subscription fees before we can be sure that their product is right for our practice.”
Curious about AI in neurology? Browse the resources above or join the AAN’s active on the topic to join discussions and share ideas.