SOAPNoteAI vs Manual EHR ChartingThe Real Comparison
Your EHR is designed to store data, not create it efficiently. See how AI documentation works alongside your EHR to dramatically reduce charting time.
Why EHR Documentation is So Painful
Click Overload
Multiple clicks through nested menus, dropdowns, and mandatory fields just to enter simple information.
Template Rigidity
Templates rarely match your actual workflow, requiring workarounds and extra typing.
Slow Performance
EHR systems are often slow, with loading screens between each action.
Not Designed for Documentation
EHRs prioritize billing and data storage over efficient note creation.
The Research: According to Annals of Internal Medicine, physicians spend about 2 hours on EHR and desk work for every 1 hour of direct patient care. That's time that could be spent with patients.
Time Comparison: Typical Workflow
Example times based on user-reported workflows. Your experience may vary by EHR system and note complexity.
| Task | Manual EHR | SOAPNoteAI + EHR |
|---|---|---|
| Open patient chart | 30-60 sec | N/A |
| Navigate to notes section | 15-30 sec | N/A |
| Select/create template | 30-60 sec | N/A |
| Enter subjective info | 3-5 min | Voice: 30 sec |
| Enter objective findings | 3-5 min | Voice: 30 sec |
| Complete assessment | 2-3 min | Voice: 20 sec |
| Document plan | 2-3 min | Voice: 20 sec |
| AI processing | N/A | 2 min |
| Paste into EHR | N/A | 15 sec |
| Total Time | 12-20 min | 4-5 min |
Users typically report 60-75% time savings per note. Results vary by specialty and workflow.
How SOAPNoteAI Works With Your EHR
SOAPNoteAI doesn't replace your EHR—it makes using it faster.
Create Your Note in SOAPNoteAI
Record or dictate your encounter. AI generates a complete, structured SOAP note in 2-3 minutes.
Copy the Formatted Note
One click copies the complete note to your clipboard, formatted and ready.
Paste Into Your EHR
Open your patient's chart, paste the note into the notes section. Done in seconds.
Works with every EHR:
Epic, Cerner, Athena, eClinicalWorks, NextGen, Allscripts, Practice Fusion, DrChrono, and any other EHR that accepts text input.
SOAPNoteAI vs EHR-Native AI Tools
Some EHRs now offer built-in AI documentation (like Epic with Nuance DAX). Here's a general comparison:
| Feature | Enterprise AI (DAX, etc.) | SOAPNoteAI |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Enterprise pricing | From $29/mo |
| EHR compatibility | Specific EHR only | Any EHR |
| Implementation time | Weeks to months | Minutes |
| IT required | Usually yes | No |
| Time savings | Significant | Significant |
| Works for solo/small practices | Often cost-prohibitive | Designed for it |
Enterprise AI pricing varies by vendor and contract. Contact vendors directly for current pricing.
What About SmartPhrases and Templates?
EHR templates and SmartPhrases help, but they have limitations:
Template Limitations:
- • Rigid structure that doesn't match every encounter
- • Still requires significant typing/clicking
- • Time to maintain and update templates
- • Learning curve for each template
SOAPNoteAI Advantage:
- • Adapts to any encounter dynamically
- • Just speak naturally
- • No template maintenance
- • Works the same way every time
Best approach: Use SOAPNoteAI for note content, then paste into your EHR. You get speed from AI with the storage/billing functions of your EHR.
Create Your SOAP Note in 2 Minutes
Start with 20 free SOAP notes. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
EHR systems are designed primarily for data storage and billing, not efficient note creation. Multiple clicks, nested menus, mandatory fields, and poor interfaces create friction. Studies show clinicians spend 50%+ of their time on EHR tasks rather than patient care.
SOAPNoteAI works alongside any EHR. Simply copy/paste the generated note into your EHR system, or export as PDF. This approach works with Epic, Cerner, Athena, eClinicalWorks, and every other EHR without requiring IT integration.
Yes. Even with templates and SmartPhrases, EHR documentation typically takes 10-20 minutes per note. SOAPNoteAI generates complete notes in 2-3 minutes from voice input, a 70-85% time reduction.
EHR-native AI tools like Nuance DAX with Epic integration are powerful but expensive ($1000+/month) and require complex implementation. SOAPNoteAI offers similar time savings at a fraction of the cost, working with any EHR.
Yes. SOAPNoteAI generates properly structured clinical notes that meet documentation standards. The SOAP format is universally accepted, and you can customize output to match your specific requirements.