Ambient AI is one of the most prominent trends in healthcare technology, particularly among frontline healthcare providers. Tools that can listen in the background and auto-generate clinical notes are reshaping how physicians, NPs, and PAs manage documentation. Until recently, most of these solutions came with steep price tags or complex integrations. Now, Doximity has entered the game with Doximity Scribe, its own AI-powered ambient listening tool—and it’s offering it completely free to verified U.S. clinicians. Of course, nothing in this world is truly free. However, in this case, there are no subscriptions, no hidden fees, and no audio data retention—just a strategic move by Doximity to establish itself as the go-to digital platform for clinicians.
How It Works
Step 1: Launch Doximity Scribe
Users can access Doximity Scribe on both desktop and mobile. Open the Doximity app and look under the “AI Tools” tab, or go to doximity.com/scribe on your browser.
Start Scribe at the beginning of a patient visit. With one tap, it begins to listen securely like a second set of clinically trained ears.
Step 2: Let It Work During the Visit
As the clinician speaks with the patient, the Scribe captures the clinical conversation in real-time. It filters out small talk and focuses on medically relevant information, such as new symptoms, changes in medication, and key historical points.
When the clinician uses Doximity Dialer, Doximity’s HIPAA-compliant telehealth tool that allows clinicians to call or video chat with patients from their devices while hiding their number, Scribe integrates directly into the workflow (currently in beta). This setup allows the clinician to conduct the visit and document it on the same screen, eliminating the need to switch between apps or devices.
Step 3: Review and Finalize the Note
After the encounter, stop or pause the Scribe. It will instantly generate a draft clinical note based on what it heard.
- Choose a structured template or go with a free-form note.
- Use prompts to guide the format, such as H&P, SOAP, progress note, or a custom format.
- Resume or revise the note later, especially helpful if the clinician is interrupted mid-visit.
Reviewing the note is crucial. Scribe offers a solid first draft, but clinicians must ensure accuracy and completeness. Ultimately, the clinician is the final editor before copying it into their EMR.
Final Thoughts
Doximity Scribe doesn’t replace clinical judgment, but it is free, and it will be interesting to see whether this “free” product will increase adoption.
The biggest hurdle is simple: Scribe doesn’t integrate with the EMR. Clinicians have to copy and paste notes, which is a challenge. How will the clinician transfer the final note, which is text data from their personal phone or laptop, to a hospital laptop or desktop? It is not an open network where files can be easily air-dropped or connected within the enterprise.
The lack of EMR integration remains the most significant hurdle, which is precisely why large health systems tend to opt for fully integrated solutions. Still, smaller healthcare organizations could see real value in using Scribe to save costs without sacrificing quality. The bigger question now is who’s next. As Doximity sets the bar by offering a free ambient AI tool, it’s only a matter of time before other vendors follow suit.