Beyond the Inbox: A Physician's Return to Patient-Centered Care

After 25 years of practicing medicine in Texas, Dr. Jason Conn faced a challenge familiar to many physicians: an overwhelming EHR inbox competing with actual patient care. His experience at Salience Health reveals how the right technology can transform clinical workflows and restore the joy of practicing medicine.

The Daily Inbox Challenge

Each morning at Salience Health- an innovative practice integrating psychiatry and primary care- Dr. Conn would log in to find over 100 case items waiting in his inbox. Add to that co-signing dozens of charts daily for physician assistants and nurse practitioners, and his day became consumed by digital paperwork.

"At any given day, I generally have over a hundred cases," he explained. "I have to look at other people's charts too, so I have to sign off on those... sometimes I spend an hour or two hours after work going through my box."

This administrative workload extended his day well beyond office hours, cutting into personal time and adding to the mental burden of an already demanding profession.

"I used to be able to see 50 patients a day with just a T-sheet," Dr. Conn recalls. "Now, with EMRs, every chart is 7 pages long, and the case box is overwhelming."

Seeking Better Solutions

While Dr. Conn appreciated the benefits EHRs brought to documentation and coordination, the growing administrative burden remained a challenge. Early experiences with supplemental technologies showed promise but didn't fully address his workflow needs.

"It would write about the patient's dog but not mention they had COVID last week," Dr. Conn noted after trying an early AI documentation solution. "That's when I realized: AI has potential, but implementation matters."

The experience left him searching for tools that could work alongside his existing systems to make his daily workflow more manageable.

Enhancing Existing Workflows

Dr. Conn found a solution in Droxi, which seamlessly integrated with his existing EHR system. Rather than requiring him to change his work processes, Droxi enhanced his current workflow by intelligently organizing the information he was already managing.

"What Droxi does is intelligently bundle related tasks," he explained. "If a patient, a pharmacy, and a fax all request the same prescription, I see them together. When I approve or deny, it's one click- and they're all gone."

For a busy physician managing hundreds of daily inbox items, this feature made a significant difference without disrupting his established routine.

"That might not sound like a lot, but it is. The inbox shrinks fast. That's a big deal."

Measurable Results

The impact on Dr. Conn's efficiency was immediate and substantial. After implementing Droxi, he accomplished more while working within his familiar system.

"Yesterday I had over 200 items, saw a full day of patients, and left with only 55 left," he shared. "That wouldn't have been possible without Droxi."

Beyond clearing his inbox more efficiently, Dr. Conn discovered something equally valuable: mental relief. The constant background concern of unfinished work began to fade.

Reconnecting With Patients

For Dr. Conn, the most meaningful change was how he could refocus on patient care. Droxi streamlined how he accessed and used patient information throughout his day.

"With Droxi, I can view a patient's recent history, see prior encounters faster than I could in the EHR, and I don't have to jump between screens to get the full picture."

This improved workflow restored a sense of connection with patients that had been gradually affected by administrative demands.

"When I'm with a patient now, I'm actually with them- not thinking about the 20 tasks waiting in my inbox. That's the way medicine should be."

The Path Forward

Dr. Conn's experience highlights how technology works best when it enhances physician workflows rather than complicating them. When implemented thoughtfully, it can restore the human element to healthcare by reducing administrative barriers.

"I got into medicine to care for patients, not to manage an inbox," Dr. Conn reflects. "Now I feel like I'm practicing medicine again."

For physicians seeking balance in their digital workflows, Dr. Conn's journey demonstrates what's possible when technology truly understands clinical needs—enhancing the practice of medicine itself, one inbox at a time.

Ready to reclaim your time and focus on patient care? See how Droxi can integrate with your existing EHR system to reduce administrative burden without disrupting your workflow. Schedule a 15-minutes demo to learn how practices like yours are saving hours each week while improving patient care.