Juggling patient consultations, chart updates, insurance checks, coding compliance, and administrative calls can feel overwhelming at times. Beneath the surface, your brain is burning through energy just to keep up. By the time you catch your breath, your mental bandwidth is stretched thin, but there’s still more to do. 

That nonstop mental weight is known as cognitive load — the strain of managing multiple complex tasks while still trying to give patients your full attention. Instead of boosting productivity, that weight builds up and tips into information overload and burnout, slowing everything down. 

According to Tebra’s AI Survey 2025 report, 64% of providers say documentation and admin tasks fuel their burnout while 67% admit it makes them feel rushed with patients.

Cue artificial intelligence (AI). It cuts documentation time and eases daily tasks, reducing cognitive load and freeing you to focus on  clinical thinking and patient care.

Most physicians go into medicine to connect science with human care, but heavy administrative tasks stand in the way of those patient relationships. 

The results of Tebra's survey show that the biggest time-wasters in providers’ current workflow are repetitive documentation (88%), insurance and claim rework (54%), and logging into multiple systems (46%). 

For 70% of providers, these tasks take time away from patient care, while 62% say it disrupts their personal time, consuming attention that could be spent with patients or on strategic practice decisions. Many end the day feeling “exhausted,” “burned out,” and “depleted.” 

Cognitive load may seem manageable for a while, but eventually it creates mental strain. For many providers, AI becomes a cognitive lifeline for its ability to handle repetitive, rules-based work that consumes mental bandwidth without adding clinical value.

In fact, 63% of providers Tebra surveyed believe AI would be worth adopting if it helped prevent burnout. This reflects a growing recognition that technology can ease the mental load for overwhelmed practices.

AI takes on the repetitive, cognitively draining, high-pressure tasks that providers feel comfortable delegating, such as:

By automating these processes, AI frees up the focus and energy providers need for clinical thinking and decision-making that move a practice forward.

The benefits of AI adoption extend far beyond theoretical possibilities. Among providers already using AI tools, 51% report working fewer after-hours, 49% enjoy more face time with patients, and 46% experience reduced stress levels. 

These outcomes directly address cognitive burden, ensuring providers can focus their mental energy on differential diagnoses and treatment planning.

The time savings are substantial, too. According to Tebra’s survey, 65% of providers say an AI tool must save at least 30 minutes daily to justify adoption. More than a third of current AI users report saving over an hour each day. That recovered time translates into reduced multitasking pressure, fewer late nights at the office, and more time to spend with family.

“Like most physicians, one of my biggest struggles is managing my work-life balance,” says Dr. Jesse Houghton, MD, senior medical director of gastroenterology at Southern Ohio Medical Center. “If incorporating AI into my practice will shift the balance toward my family and hobbies, then I’m all for it.”

Another survey respondent shared: "If I could get one hour back, I'd spend it with family, exercising, or just resting." This simple statement captures the profound impact cognitive relief can have on overall well-being.

For AI to truly reduce cognitive load rather than add to it, the technology must meet specific expectations that prevent mental strain and build provider confidence.

Survey data reveals the non-negotiable features providers demand:

The integration aspect is particularly crucial. AI that requires providers to learn new systems or navigate complex interfaces defeats the purpose of cognitive relief. 

The most effective AI tools run quietly in the background of existing workflows, easing the load instead of adding another layer of complexity.

When these foundational elements are in place, clinicians feel comfortable trusting AI as a cognitive support tool rather than another potential liability or risk.

“Adding a new AI system or feature into an office or network should be as seamless and straightforward as possible,” says Houghton. “Physicians are busy enough without adding extra steps to navigate within their EMR.” 

While AI won't replace the clinical judgment, empathy, and expertise that define excellent healthcare, it can remove the administrative noise that drowns out these essential human capabilities.

Tebra's AI Smart Staff, a portfolio of AI-powered tools, includes 3 essential functions: AI Note Assist, AI Review Replies, and AI Review Insights. They’re designed to tackle providers’ biggest time drains, offering cognitive relief through intelligent automation that works within your existing workflows and grows with your needs. 

Smart AI adoption starts by auditing workflows to identify your most mentally draining tasks — and the best opportunities for relief. For many practices, the first wins often come from automating scheduling, streamlining documentation, speeding up coding, and verifying insurance in the background.

The key is starting small and building confidence. This incremental approach prevents cognitive overload during the transition period, allowing providers to think clearly, connect meaningfully with patients, and enjoy professional satisfaction.

When technology handles the routine and mundane, providers can focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional patient care.