In the face of extensive administrative tasks, which can consume up to 19 hours weekly for family doctors, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a transformative force in family medicine, offering both efficiency and enhanced patient care.
In an innovative move, the Ontario government has initiated a pilot project deploying AI scribe technology with over 150 family physicians. Concurrently, several doctors have independently integrated AI scribes into their practices.
At the beginning of 2024, Dr. Ali Damji, a family physician in Mississauga, embarked on a quest to streamline his paperwork and enhance his work-life balance.
"My New Year’s resolution was to focus on my well-being and derive more joy from my practice," Dr. Damji shared.
To achieve this, he trialed three different AI scribe programs compatible with his EMR system before selecting the one that best suited his needs.
These AI scribe programs operate by recording patient interactions, with patient consent, and transcribing them into SOAP notes. These notes, encompassing subjective information from the patient, objective details from the doctor, the physician's assessment, and a care plan, are then reviewed and added to the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR).
Dr. Damji noted that while there is an initial learning curve, the time saved is invaluable. "Utilizing an AI scribe saves me an entire day each week, enabling me to better serve my patients and community," he said. "The technology is straightforward and has significantly reduced my administrative workload."
AI scribes also enhance the quality of patient care.
Dave Courtemanche, the recently retired Executive Director of City of Lakes Family Health Team in Greater Sudbury, mentioned that his team began testing an AI scribe in December 2023. Previously, doctors found it challenging to fully engage with patients while simultaneously updating charts.
"Now, doctors can immerse themselves in patient conversations," Courtemanche stated. "Patients feel heard, and physicians have less administrative work to handle."
Despite the promise of AI scribes in reducing administrative burdens, broader governmental strategies are necessary to address the ongoing challenges faced by physicians and patients.
"AI offers family physicians new tools to manage administrative and clinical tasks, enabling them to be more present for their patients," Courtemanche remarked. "However, additional support for family doctors is crucial."
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