A new analysis from Swedish firm Tandem Health suggests that automated note-taking technology is reducing paperwork for clinicians across Europe and allowing them to spend more meaningful time with patients.

The company reviewed more than 375,000 medical notes produced with its AI scribe, a tool now used by nearly 1,300 clinicians in 11 European countries, including the UK, France and Spain. The findings indicate that the technology shortened the average time spent writing notes from 6.69 minutes to 4.71 minutes — a 29% drop.

Tandem Health also surveyed 177 clinicians, ranging from GPs and surgeons to psychologists and nurses. Many said the reduction in administrative work allowed them to feel more attentive during consultations, while some reported a noticeable decrease in stress linked to routine documentation.

Health workforce fatigue remains a growing concern in Europe. An international survey published earlier this year found that administrative overload is a major factor behind burnout among primary care doctors. In the UK, 28% of GPs who reported burnout said excessive paperwork was the main cause. In Switzerland, the proportion rose to 65%.

Tandem Health CEO Lukas Saari said the results highlight how digital tools could support overstretched services. “For European healthcare systems facing acute workforce shortages and rising costs, that capacity gain could make a real difference at scale, addressing wait times, clinician burnout and care access,” he said.

The company stressed that much of the existing research on AI scribes comes from the United States, where healthcare structures differ significantly from those in Europe. Tandem Health’s scribe is classified as a medical device under EU rules, and the firm says more regional evidence is necessary as adoption grows.

Dr Artin Entezarjou, head of medical operations at Tandem Health, said the data offers insight for policymakers and health leaders examining new ways to address persistent staffing pressures. He noted that European systems must understand how such tools function in their own clinical environments to shape appropriate guidance and investment decisions.

Supporters of the technology argue that even modest efficiency gains could help reduce appointment backlogs and ease strain on health workers. Many clinicians in the survey said the extra time and reduced cognitive load improved the quality of their patient interactions, which they viewed as a central benefit of the scribe.

The findings arrive as hospitals and primary care networks across Europe continue to test digital tools that could take on repetitive administrative duties. Tandem Health says demand for its scribe has risen sharply over the past year as more clinicians explore ways to streamline paperwork without compromising record accuracy.

The company plans to expand data collection to assess long-term effects on patient flow, clinical workload and staff retention.

A major international study has found that only a small share of people manage to meet recommended levels of both sleep and daily physical activity, raising new questions about long-standing health guidelines and how people can realistically follow them.

The research, published in the journal Communications Medicine, analysed data from wearable sleep and activity trackers from more than 70,000 people across multiple regions over a period of three and a half years. The findings show that only about 13 per cent consistently achieved the commonly promoted targets of seven to nine hours of sleep each night and at least 8,000 steps per day.

Lead author Josh Fitton, a sleep researcher at Flinders University in Australia, said the results highlight the gap between public health recommendations and everyday routines. “Only a tiny fraction of people can achieve both recommended sleep and activity levels every day, so we really need to think about how these guidelines work together and what we can do to support people to meet them in ways that fit real life,” he said.

The study revealed that people often manage to either get sufficient rest or maintain an active routine, but struggle to sustain both. Nearly 17 per cent of participants averaged fewer than seven hours of sleep and fewer than 5,000 steps daily, placing them in what researchers described as a “sedentary” group. This combination has been linked in past studies to a higher likelihood of chronic illness, weight gain and mental health issues.

Researchers noted that the data has limitations, as tracking devices tend to be more commonly used in higher-income countries, potentially skewing the global representation. Even so, the analysis uncovered a consistent pattern across participants: those who slept between six and seven hours a night recorded the highest number of steps the next day.

Senior author Danny Eckert, also from Flinders University, said the findings suggest that sleep may play a stronger role than many realise in shaping daily energy and activity levels. “Prioritising sleep could be the most effective way to boost your energy, motivation, and capacity for movement,” he said.

He added that small adjustments can help people build healthier routines. This includes reducing screen exposure before bed, maintaining regular sleep schedules and creating calming nighttime environments to support better rest.

The study’s authors say the results point to a need for clearer and more practical guidance, especially for people who struggle to balance work, family responsibilities and personal health goals. They say that for many, improving sleep habits may be the most realistic first step toward leading more active and healthier lives.

European companies are pouring unprecedented sums into employee well-being, yet mental health indicators across the workforce continue to deteriorate, raising concerns among researchers, unions and public health agencies.

A continent-wide survey released this year by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work found that nearly half of workers across 30 countries report overwhelming workloads, while a third feel undervalued in their roles. Another 16 percent say they have faced violence or verbal harassment at work, underscoring the strain many employees experience on a daily basis.

The rise in workplace stress comes even as businesses expand support programmes at a rapid pace. In 2023, companies across Europe spent an estimated $19.6 billion (€16.9 billion) on wellness offerings, which now reach nearly a third of European employees. These initiatives include mindfulness sessions, coaching and stress management training. But researchers say such efforts often miss the root causes of worker distress.

A study by Australian researchers earlier this year labelled the situation a “prevailing paradox,” noting that increasing investment has not translated into improved mental health outcomes. Experts argue that many programmes remain surface-level and fail to target the structural pressures embedded in modern employment.

“After the pandemic, we saw a surge in people experiencing mental health issues linked to work, particularly burnout,” said Sonia Nawrocka of the European Trade Union Institute. She noted that psychosocial risks — such as excessive working hours, job insecurity, limited recognition and workplace bullying — continue to rise despite the attention on wellness.

Manal Azzi, a senior occupational safety and health specialist at the International Labour Organization, stressed that meaningful progress requires companies to rethink how they operate. Recruitment, promotion, performance assessments, management styles and communication practices all influence employee well-being, she said.

Research from TELUS Health suggests that managers who successfully support their teams share several traits, including genuine concern for staff, inclusive leadership, clear decision-making and a focus on purpose rather than just tasks.

Some employers are beginning to adopt wider reforms. Trials of the four-day work week in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland and Germany have shown early promise in reducing burnout and improving workers’ overall health.

Even so, Azzi said many companies remain hesitant to address deeper organisational issues, often due to perceived cost or uncertainty about how to begin. This is where policy may play a greater role, according to Nawrocka. Sweden has rules to tackle workplace intimidation and unhealthy workloads, while France, Belgium and Portugal enforce right-to-disconnect laws outside working hours.

The economic impact is significant. An ETUI study found that stress-related depression and heart conditions cost the European Union more than €100 billion annually, with employers carrying most of the financial burden.

“When anxiety or depression becomes severe, it can be too late,” Azzi warned. “People leave their jobs, and that’s why prevention is essential.”