Abstract
Background Usability problems in the electronic health record (EHR) lead to workflow inefficiencies
when navigating charts and entering or retrieving data using standard keyboard and
mouse interfaces. Voice input technology has been used to overcome some of the challenges
associated with conventional interfaces and continues to evolve as a promising way
to interact with the EHR.
Objective This article reviews the literature and evidence on voice input technology used to
facilitate work in the EHR. It also reviews the benefits and challenges of implementation
and use of voice technologies, and discusses emerging opportunities with voice assistant
technology.
Methods We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify articles that discuss
the use of voice technology to facilitate health care work. We searched MEDLINE and
the Google search engine to identify relevant articles. We evaluated articles that
discussed the strengths and limitations of voice technology to facilitate health care
work. Consumer articles from leading technology publications addressing emerging use
of voice assistants were reviewed to ascertain functionalities in existing consumer
applications.
Results Using a MEDLINE search, we identified 683 articles that were reviewed for inclusion
eligibility. The references of included articles were also reviewed. Sixty-one papers
that discussed the use of voice tools in health care were included, of which 32 detailed
the use of voice technologies in production environments. Articles were organized
into three domains: Voice for (1) documentation, (2) commands, and (3) interactive
response and navigation for patients. Of 31 articles that discussed usability attributes
of consumer voice assistant technology, 12 were included in the review.
Conclusion We highlight the successes and challenges of voice input technologies in health care
and discuss opportunities to incorporate emerging voice assistant technologies used
in the consumer domain.
Keywords
communication - natural language processing - human–computer interaction - clinic
documentation and communications
