In a recent blog, we explored Opie AI™ — an AI-powered assistant designed specifically for pediatric clinicians. As the first pediatric-specific AI scribe on the market, Opie AI is changing how providers manage clinical documentation and deliver care.

But what does pediatric AI actually mean to the clinicians who rely on it every day? In the field of pediatrics, where developing trusted, long-term relationships with patients and families is crucial, the burden of documentation can take time and attention away from what matters most: providing high-quality care that supports children now and sets the stage for lifelong health.

To offer a firsthand perspective, Dr. Dan Feiten, Office Practicum’s Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Greenwood Pediatrics in Denver, CO, and Dr. Rich Szabo, Physician Liaison at Office Practicum and a pediatrician for 20 years, joined the PediaTricks Podcast. They shared how Opie AI™ is helping clinicians reclaim time, improve documentation, and refocus on patient care. As experienced pediatricians and key members of Office Practicum’s Research & Development team, both Dr. Feiten and Dr. Szabo were instrumental in evaluating and selecting an AI solution that was not only a strong clinical fit for pediatrics but also thoughtfully integrated into the OP’s pediatric EHR.

Saving Time by Reducing “Pajama Time”

One of the most impactful benefits of AI scribes like Opie AI is how it reduces the time clinicians spend documenting patient visits after hours — a phenomenon often called “pajama time.” Studies have shown AI scribes can save nearly two minutes per visit. That’s nearly 15 hours a month, on average, of reclaimed personal time! This time saved allows clinicians to get home earlier, reduce burnout, and ultimately provide better care by being less stressed and more engaged.

More Face Time, Less Screen Time with an AI Scribe

Dr. Feiten and Dr. Szabo both highlight a core advantage of pediatric AI scribes: the ability to restore human connection during patient visits. By removing the need to type while listening, clinicians are able to give their full attention to young patients and their families. “You’re listening, you’re engaged, you’re making eye contact. Families notice that. They appreciate that, and I think that allows you to get to a deeper level or deeper detail in your communication”, says Dr. Szabo. “I think this is doubly important in complicated or comprehensive encounters or visits”, he adds.

In pediatrics, where trust and communication are essential from infancy through adolescence, this shift is necessary. Dr. Feiten emphasizes that Opie AI helps pediatricians “re-humanize” their care — something that’s often lost behind a screen. “I think pediatrics is primarily an experiential profession,” he says. “What we’ve seen more recently is that due to the increased cost of healthcare and the decrease in payments, the pediatric visits are moving from an experiential visit to a transactional visit. Put your dollar in and your soda will come out. That doesn’t work very well in pediatrics, and certainly not in mental health, nor in adolescence. And so AI helps to augment that experiential capability.”

AI’s Superpower: Capturing the Details That Matter in Pediatric Care

Clinical encounters in pediatrics often involve subtle details and casual remarks — things that may go undocumented but are medically significant. Dr. Feiten shares that Opie AI is able to capture these nuances, such as a child’s offhand mention of abdominal pain associated with coughing.

By accurately recording these moments, Opie AI supports stronger clinical decision-making and better outcomes in pediatric care. Nothing important gets missed or lost in translation.

Personalized and Evolving AI Technology

A standout feature of Opie AI is its ability to personalize documentation to each provider’s needs. Clinicians can use customizable templates and “dot phrases” to quickly input common exam findings or questions. And with ongoing use, Opie AI learns how each pediatrician speaks and adapts to their individual charting style over time. This adaptability ensures that notes are not only thorough but also reflect the unique style of each provider.

The Future of Pediatric AI is Bright

Looking ahead, Opie AI is set to evolve far beyond documentation. Future capabilities include further integration with pediatric clinical guidelines like AAP’s Bright Futures, decision-support tools, and features to improve administrative efficiency.

In short, pediatric AI like Opie AI is redefining what’s possible in pediatric care. By reducing after-hours documentation and enhancing clinician-patient interactions, these tools free pediatricians to focus more on care, not clicks — helping them reclaim their time while improving outcomes for both patients and providers.

Check out the full episode of the PediaTricks Podcast: Opie AI – OP’s Clinical Perspective to learn more about OP’s pediatric AI technology.

To hear how this conversation began, check out our earlier PediaTricks episode featuring Mark Richards, Office Practicum’s Chief Revenue Officer and longtime healthcare IT expert, as he discusses why pediatrics requires a different approach to technology and how that extends to the development of pediatric-specific AI solutions.