Artificial intelligence promises to solve the biggest problems in your private practice: documentation overload, burnout, and too little time with patients. But despite growing interest, most clinicians haven’t yet adopted these new tools. 

In a 2025 Tebra survey of 105 providers in small practices across the United States, 63% said they have not used AI. Their hesitation reflects real concerns about education, accuracy, liability, and how fast technology is changing. Before committing, clinicians want solutions that deliver measurable value, safeguard patient privacy, and fit within their existing systems.

The numbers reveal how providers currently spend their time. Repetitive documentation topped the list of workflow frustrations, with 88% of providers calling it their biggest time-waster.

So, what do medical practices need before leaning on AI tools, particularly for the ones they say are eating up their time? The results point to specific features and safeguards that matter most in order to move forward.

Across the sector, documentation is a source of frustration and fatigue. According to the survey results, 70% of providers said charting takes time away from patient care. And 64% said it contributes to burnout.

When asked how they feel at the end of the day, many respondents used the same word: “exhausted.”

One mental health physician in Illinois put it simply: “Exhausted, ready to go home.” Another, based in California, described how documentation spills into their personal time: “Exhausted, spending time on documentation which should have been spent on my personal use and time such as leisure activities.”

Some providers did express satisfaction when they were caught up on notes. But that feeling was far less common.

Even as AI tools become more common in healthcare, many clinicians remain cautious. The survey asked providers about the biggest roadblocks. Their responses point to a mix of educational, operational, and financial concerns: 

Ultimately, clinicians are open to AI but only if it’s safe, affordable, and easy to understand and use. While these concerns are significant, they aren’t insurmountable. Instead, they provide a clear roadmap for what a trustworthy AI tool needs to deliver. So what does it take to make AI worth it for a private practice?

Before you start to book demos, it’s important to define what success with AI looks like for your practice. Based on what your peers value most, any AI tool that you consider should meet several foundational requirements for day-to-day value and usability:

At the top of the list was control. Clinicians want the ability to review and edit every note to ensure accuracy, safeguard patient relationships, and protect themselves from legal exposure. Tools that give them that level of oversight are far more likely to earn their confidence.

Even among AI skeptics, support is strong for automation — especially when it helps with time-consuming and repetitive tasks. The most commonly accepted areas for AI assistance include:

By starting with tools that support everyday efficiency, practices can gradually build trust in AI. Over time, that familiarity can lead to more integrated use.

Once you know what your practice needs from AI, it’s time to find a trustworthy partner. Your peers identified several specific elements that build confidence. Use these points as you build a framework with which to evaluate potential AI vendors. 

The path to successfully adopting an AI tool in your private practice is paved with valid concerns, but the criteria for success are clear. The right AI tool isn’t just a good piece of software, but a trustworthy partner that enables clinical autonomy, security, and seamless integration. 

Finding a vendor that builds its tools around these non-negotiables is the key to unlocking the benefits of AI without adding to your workload. At Tebra, we designed our AI Smart Staff with that in mind — to meet the daily demands of private practice and support you and your staff by taking work off your plate. 

Here’s how our AI tools align with what providers like you demand: 

Together, these tools are already helping practices like yours save time, reduce burnout, and stay connected to patients with ease. Ready to learn more? Schedule a Tebra demo today to see how AI Smart Staff works within your existing workflows, creating space in your routine where you and your patients need it most.