AI in Medicine: A Practical Guide
Transforming Clinical Workflows with Large Language Models
Table of Contents
Part 1: The Case Presentation
Understanding the patient scenario and exploring brain anatomy through interactive visualization.
Part 2: How LLM Technology Can Assist
Comparing raw clinical notes with AI-enhanced structured summaries using interactive sliders.
Part 3: How a Clinician Uses Claude in Practice
Exploring the chat interface where clinicians can transform notes into structured summaries through natural conversation.
Part 1: The Case Presentation
We begin with a realistic clinical scenario: a 68-year-old patient presenting with cognitive decline. This case demonstrates how AI can help clinicians process complex patient information more efficiently. We'll explore the brain regions involved and see how technology can transform raw clinical notes into structured, actionable summaries.
A 68-year-old male presents with a 3-month history of progressive word-finding difficulties and intermittent confusion. His family reports recent episodes of getting lost in familiar places and difficulty managing his finances. His past medical history is significant for hypertension and hyperlipidemia, both well-controlled on medication. He has no history of stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Hover over regions for details.
Part 2: How LLM Technology Can Assist
Large Language Models (LLMs) are powerful tools that can parse, summarize, and structure vast amounts of text. In a clinical setting, this can significantly reduce administrative burden and highlight key information from lengthy patient notes. An LLM can take a narrative HPI (History of Present Illness) and structure it into a concise, organized summary, making it easier for consulting physicians to quickly grasp the case.
Part 3: How a Clinician Uses Claude in Practice
So, how do we get from the raw note to the structured summary? This is done using Claude's chat interface, which works just like having a conversation with a knowledgeable colleague. The interface below shows exactly how a doctor would interact with Claude to transform their notes.
Please structure this patient note:
pt is a 68yo man here w/ family. they say he's been having trouble finding his words for maybe 3 mo. also getting confused. wife says he got lost driving home from the grocery store last week, a trip he's made for 20 yrs. can't handle the bills anymore. hx of htn and high chol, but takes meds for it. denies any weakness or numbness. no head trauma. i checked him out, neuro exam is pretty much normal, cn ii-xii intact, 5/5 strength throughout. but his mmse score was low and he couldn't draw the clock right. seems like something's going on with his thinking. maybe alzheimers? need to investigate further.
Patient: 68-Year-Old Male
Chief Complaint: Cognitive Decline
History of Present Illness: Patient presents with a 3-month history of progressive cognitive decline, characterized by:
- Anomic aphasia (word-finding difficulty)
- Visuospatial disorientation (getting lost in familiar locations)
- Executive dysfunction (difficulty with financial management)
Past Medical History: Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia (well-controlled)
Review of Systems: No history of CVA or TBI. Neurological exam within normal limits except for cognitive deficits noted above.
Assessment: Cognitive decline concerning for possible dementia. Recommend further evaluation including neuropsychological testing and imaging.
Understanding the Chat Interface
Using Claude for medical notes is as simple as having a conversation with a knowledgeable colleague. You don't need to be a programmer; you just need to be good at giving clear instructions. Think of it like delegating a task to a junior resident. Let's break down the key components you see in the chat interface above.
- Doctor's Instruction (Left Side): This is where you write your request to Claude. You can start with a simple instruction like "Please structure this patient note:" followed by pasting the raw, dictated note from your patient. This is like telling a colleague exactly what you need help with.
- Claude's Response (Right Side): This is where Claude shows you the structured, professional note it has created from your raw input. The response appears automatically after you send your request, just like getting a reply in a conversation.
- Copy to EMR Button: Once you're satisfied with Claude's structured note, you can copy it directly into your Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This saves you significant time compared to manually reformatting your notes.
- Natural Conversation: Unlike complex technical interfaces, Claude works through simple chat. You can ask follow-up questions like "Make it more concise" or "Add the assessment section" and Claude will adjust the note accordingly.
- Learning from Context: Claude remembers the conversation, so if you mention "Use the same format as my previous notes" or "Follow our hospital's documentation standards", it will adapt to your preferences over time.
💡 In Production: Automated EMR Integration
For developers building clinical tools: This chat interface can be automated via Claude's API to integrate directly with Electronic Health Record systems. Instead of manual copy-paste, the structured notes can be automatically inserted into patient records, saving clinicians even more time and reducing documentation errors.
📚 Glossary: HealthTech & Generative AI Terms
Understanding these key terms will help you navigate the intersection of healthcare technology and artificial intelligence with confidence.
🤖 Large Language Model (LLM)
An AI system trained on vast amounts of text that can understand and generate human-like language. Think of it as a highly knowledgeable colleague who can read, write, and reason about medical information.
📋 Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Digital systems that store patient health information. AI can help structure and organize the data you input, making it more useful for patient care and documentation.
💬 Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Technology that allows computers to understand and process human language. In healthcare, this enables AI to read your notes and convert them into structured formats.
🎯 Clinical Decision Support (CDS)
AI-powered tools that provide information and recommendations to help clinicians make better decisions. These systems analyze patient data and suggest potential diagnoses or treatments.
✍️ Prompt Engineering
The skill of writing clear, specific instructions for AI systems. In medical contexts, this means knowing how to ask AI to structure notes, summarize cases, or extract key information effectively.
🏥 Health Information Technology (HIT)
The broad category of technology used in healthcare, including EHRs, telemedicine platforms, and AI-powered diagnostic tools that support clinical workflows.
🧠 Machine Learning (ML)
A subset of AI where systems learn patterns from data. In healthcare, ML can identify trends in patient symptoms, predict outcomes, or help with medical image analysis.
📱 Digital Health
The convergence of digital technologies with healthcare, including mobile health apps, wearable devices, and AI-powered tools that improve patient care and clinical efficiency.
🔗 Interoperability
The ability of different healthcare systems to exchange and use information seamlessly. AI can help bridge gaps between different EHR systems and data formats.
⚡ Clinical Workflow
The sequence of tasks and processes involved in patient care. AI can optimize these workflows by automating documentation, reducing administrative burden, and improving care coordination.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using AI in clinical practice, answered in practical terms.