Dr. Jose Galeas on the value of being present with patients

For Dr. Galeas, oncology is as much about human connection as it is about medical expertise. In this interview, he reflects on the importance of being fully present with patients—especially during life-changing conversations about treatment progress or challenges. By using ambient AI technology to handle documentation, Dr. Galeas  can focus less on note-taking and more on the patient in front of him. That focus—that deeper listening—allows for more meaningful patient interactions during both difficult and joyful moments.

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Transcript:

Dr. Galeas: Oncology is complex but, you know, the art of oncology is also the personal touch. You get to know patients at one of their most vulnerable moments in life. Being able to be there, to be present and hear them through that interaction doesn't have a value.

Having a scribe that is documenting that throughout a visit, and you don't have to be worried about you documenting it live at that moment helps a lot, so you are really there, especially like there's different conversations that are tough, like when the treatment is not working as well. And you know, there's other positive times also when the treatment is working, when the patient knows that they're feeling better because they're on the right path.

And it's nice to be present in those moments. These are technologies that are here now and I think that they're continuing to improve. And as I use the product more, it just keeps getting better.