A new doctoral thesis from the University of Oslo sharply criticizes the growing use of artificial intelligence in Norwegian hospitals. According to researcher Eirik Hanssen, the technology intended to streamline medical documentation is actually stealing valuable time from both doctors and patients.
Hospitals across the country are testing voice recognition software to automatically transcribe patient consultations into electronic health records. The goal is to reduce administrative burdens on physicians, but Hanssen’s findings suggest the opposite is happening. Doctors now spend significant portions of their schedules correcting transcription errors and fine-tuning algorithms instead of focusing on patient care.
Hanssen’s dissertation, titled “The Hidden Cost of Digital Efficiency,” analyzed 18 months of data from three major hospitals. He found that for every hour a doctor spent with a patient, an additional 20 minutes were lost to reviewing and editing AI-generated notes. The problem is compounded by the fact that many physicians lack proper training in using these systems, leading to frustration and inefficiency.
The healthcare sector in Norway has invested heavily in digital transformation, with AI tools marketed as solutions to staff shortages and burnout. Yet Hanssen argues the current implementation is backfiring. “We’re trading one kind of burnout for another,” he told local media. “Doctors aren’t just tired—they’re now IT support for flawed software.”
Hospital administrators defend the technology, citing long-term benefits. But Hanssen calls for stricter oversight and better training before further rollouts. The debate highlights a growing tension between innovation and practicality in modern healthcare.
Source: digi.no