In recent blogs, we explored why pediatrics demands a unique approach to AI technology and the tangible benefits of pediatric AI from the eyes of pediatricians who were instrumental in evaluating, selecting, and developing a pediatric AI solution. The focal point of both of these discussions was Opie AI™ – Office Practicum’s pediatric AI-powered documentation assistant, designed specifically for pediatric clinicians.

But how does Opie AI actually perform when it’s time to document the real-life moments that unfold in a pediatric exam room? To shed some light on this, Dr. Nick Jernigan, a board-certified pediatrician from KidzCare Pediatrics in Hampstead, North Carolina, joined the PediaTricks Podcast. He admitted that when he first heard about the idea of AI in pediatrics, it sounded a little too good to be true. Then, he tried it.

“I was skeptical,” he admits. “I thought, ‘Alexa can’t even understand me half the time — how is this going to work in a busy pediatric exam room?’” Fast forward just a few months into using it, and Dr. Jernigan is a firm believer in the power of pediatric AI and the difference Opie AI has made in his daily workflow and his patient interactions.

From Simple Visits to Complex Care

Like many clinicians, Dr. Jernigan approached the technology cautiously. He began using Opie AI for simple, uncomplicated sick visits and follow-ups. As his comfort level increased, he expanded his usage into more complex encounters that involved a lot of documentation. That’s when Opie AI truly stood out and delivered an unexpected advantage.

“What struck me immediately was the accuracy of the notes right out of the box. It captured the key clinical details while leaving out the chit-chat,” he explains.

Walking out of the exam room with clear, professional notes that are auto-generated and need little to no editing is a huge win for clinicians who spend their after-hours catching up on documentation. And, it changes the dynamic in the room entirely, allowing clinicians to remain fully present and personable with families, without worrying about cleaning up irrelevant conversation in the documentation later.

Reclaiming the Human Connection

Human connection is often the first casualty of digital documentation. But with Opie AI, Dr. Jernigan found he could deliver more empathetic care and come away with stronger notes. It gave him the ability to make eye contact, something that many parents and patients alike rarely experience.

“With the AI scribe working in the background, I can actually see my patients and families during the visit,” Dr. Jernigan says. “If Opie AI did nothing else but let me look a depressed teenager in the eye and say, ‘You’re going to be okay,’ without typing, that alone would make it worth it.”

Insurance Payer Boxes Checked — Without the Extra Steps

The benefits of Opie AI don’t stop at patient interaction and cleaner documentation. Dr. Jernigan quickly discovered that it also helps him check boxes needed for specific insurance payer situations that might have otherwise required an extra visit. 

“One case really stuck with me,” he shares. “A child was in for a visit about a speech and language device. On the way out, the mom casually mentioned they also needed a refill for continence supplies. I addressed it in real time, and Opie AI captured it perfectly — documented in both the HPI and the plan, in professional language, without me lifting a finger.”

That time saved adds up. “Instead of scheduling a second appointment just to document something for Medicaid, I had it done in under a minute,” he says.

Built for the Realities of Pediatric Visits

In pediatrics, it’s not unusual for parents to bring up concerns about siblings during a visit, turning one appointment into two or more. Something that would catch a generic, non-pediatric AI off guard, even confusing the documentation.

“It automatically separates that information, even creating a second paragraph I can use for the sibling’s chart if needed,” Dr. Jernigan reports.

That kind of adaptive learning isn’t just convenient — it’s next-level for pediatricians who are constantly juggling siblings, complex family dynamics, and changing developmental stages.

Better Notes, Better Visits, Better Care

Unlike generic AI technology, pediatric-specific AI, like Opie AI, is tailored for pediatric workflows, and that distinction matters.

“It picks up on the nuances of anticipatory guidance versus a one-off anecdote. It understands what a well check should look like,” Dr. Jernigan explains. “It’s clear this was trained with real pediatric practices in mind.”

But the biggest endorsement of all came during a follow-up appointment.

“The first time a patient came back, and I opened my Opie AI-generated note from their last visit, it was all there. Clear, professional, and thorough. I felt so much more prepared walking into that room,” Dr. Jernigan says. “It was a second light bulb moment. My notes are just…better.”

For pediatricians like Dr. Jernigan, Opie AI isn’t just about saving time or reducing clicks. It’s about restoring the relationship at the heart of pediatric care. It’s helping clinicians focus less on their keyboards and more on their kids. And as Dr. Jernigan puts it: “If it only let me make more eye contact during a visit, it’d be worth it. But it’s doing so much more.”

Check out the full episode of the PediaTricks Podcast: Opie AI – Live from the Exam Room to learn more about the benefits of Opie AI for pediatric clinicians using it as part of their new and improved day-to-day.