A new study published in EULAR Rheumatology Open (2025) provides the first real-world evaluation of Nixi AI in a clinical rheumatology setting, offering compelling evidence that ambient AI scribes can significantly reduce administrative burdens without compromising patient trust.
Real-World Results: Time Savings and Accuracy
Conducted at a large German rheumatology outpatient service in August 2025, the study evaluated the use of Nixi AI during routine consultations. The results were reported by the treating rheumatologists and verified through patient questionnaires.
The impact on clinical workflow was immediate and positive:
- Time reduction: The rheumatologist reported that the AI scribe reduced consultation time in 82% of cases (72 of 88).
- Neutral impact: In 15% of cases, there was no change in time usage.
- Minimal disruption: Increased time was reported in only 3% of cases.
Regarding accuracy, the study noted that while errors occurred in 19% of encounters, they were exclusively classified as "minor". These errors were primarily misspelled medication names or incorrect sex detection, the latter being a specific automated classification feature rather than a clinical documentation failure.
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Saved >5 minutes | 11.4% |
| Saved 2–5 minutes | 70.5% |
| Neutral | 14.8% |
| Added 2–5 minutes | 2.3% |
| Added >5 minutes | 1.1% |
Source: Knitza & Aries, EULAR Rheumatology Open (2025). n = 88 consultations.
Patients Prefer the "Heads-Up" Approach
One of the most significant findings of the study was patient acceptance. There is often a fear that AI might make medicine feel robotic, but this study suggests the opposite.
Questionnaires completed by 108 patients revealed:
- More engagement: Patients perceived that their physician spent less time looking at the screen and more time engaging with them directly.
- High acceptance: Most patients indicated they would welcome the use of the scribe in future visits.
- Positive attitudes: 56% of patients held a positive attitude toward AI in healthcare, with another 14% being "very positive".
The Future of Rheumatology Documentation
The authors, Johannes Knitza and Peer Aries, concluded that these preliminary findings align with broader data showing meaningful time savings and high acceptance rates for ambient AI. As the first study of its kind in this specialty, it highlights how tools like Nixi AI can help clinicians return to the core of their profession: interacting with patients rather than keyboards.
Sources
- Ambient AI scribes in rheumatology: early real-world clinician and patient experience — EULAR Rheumatology Open (2025)