For the Record: Who Are We Documenting For?

In this episode of The Other Side of the Chart, host Dr. Jill Goldenberg sits down with Dr. Kevin Larsen, Senior Vice President of Clinical Innovation and former leader at CMS and ONC, to explore the evolution of medical documentation, from handwritten charts to AI-generated notes.Together, they unpack how documentation has shifted from a clinician’s memory aid to a complex record serving patients, payers, regulators, and more. The conversation spans the promise and pitfalls of OpenNotes, the elusive goal of a true longitudinal care plan, and the early “Nokia cell phone” stage of ambient AI in healthcare.With stories from his career leading health systems, policy, and innovation, Dr. Larsen reflects on how documentation can either widen the distance between people or bring them closer together. At its core, the discussion asks: Who is the medical note really for and how can it better serve patients and clinicians alike?