Why family doctors across Canada are turning to AI scribes — and what it means for patients

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) scribes in medical practices is gaining popularity among physicians across Canada, as they seek to streamline administrative tasks and improve patient care. Dr. Will Stymiest, a family physician in Fredericton, noticed a significant change in a colleague who started using an AI scribe tool to transcribe and summarize conversations with patients. Impressed by the efficiency and time-saving benefits, Stymiest decided to try the AI scribe himself and found that it allowed him to spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients.

Ambient AI scribe programs use a microphone to listen to conversations between clinicians and patients, filtering out small talk and summarizing the visit into a structured medical note. By reducing the time spent on administrative tasks, physicians like Stymiest and Dr. Tahmeena Ali in South Surrey, B.C., have been able to see more patients and provide better care.

In addition to improving individual practices, AI scribes have the potential to benefit the healthcare system as a whole. In provinces like New Brunswick and Ontario, where there are long waitlists for primary care providers, AI scribes could help reduce the backlog by allowing physicians to see more patients each day.

While AI scribes offer many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider. For example, the tools may misinterpret information or fail to capture certain aspects of a patient’s visit. However, most patients seem to accept the use of AI scribes in their appointments, as long as they are informed about how the technology works and how their privacy is protected.

As more physicians express interest in AI scribes, there is a growing need for training programs and guidelines to ensure that the technology is used ethically and effectively. Federal guidelines recommend that AI tools be fair, accountable, secure, transparent, educated, and relevant in order to improve outcomes for patients.

Overall, the use of AI scribes in medical practices shows promise in improving efficiency, reducing administrative burdens, and enhancing patient care. With further research and development, AI scribes could become a valuable tool for healthcare providers across Canada.