eHealth Centre of Excellence

AI Scribes 

 

What is an AI scribe?

 

AI scribe Icon   AI scribes (also known as digital or ambient scribes) use speech-to-text technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform clinician-patient conversations to complete administrative notes in the EMR. They serve as a bridge to integrate more advanced tools into clinical workflows to reduce administrative tasks and free up time for clinicians to see patients, thereby improving care delivery.

 

 

 

NEW: The eHealth Centre of Excellence, the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine and other health system partners have been awarded a $1 million Health Care Unburdened Grant to support AI scribe technology and reduce the administrative burden facing physicians.

 

Learn more here!

  Health Care Unburdened Grant

 

 

 

 

 

The eHealth Centre of Excellence is also proud to have led a provincial evaluation study of AI scribe in 2024, in collaboration with OntarioMD (OMD) and the Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV)

 

 

Read the evaluation here!

 

 

Key findings from the study include: 

 

  • 75.7% of participants (family doctors and nurse practitioners) reported reduced cognitive load during patient encounters when using an AI scribe.
  • Almost half (48%) perceived that the quality of care they delivered improved due to reduced cognitive fatigue.
  • On average, 3 to 4 hours per week were freed up for direct patient care.
  • 82.3% of participants expressed a desire to continue using AI scribes long-term.

 

As part of the evaluation, our team also worked to understand how Robotic Process Automation might further support improved workflows by automating some of the actions documented by the AI Scribe during a patient/clinician encounter. We are continuing to explore possibilities – please reach out if you have ideas!

 

 

Additional resources – What you need to know about AI scribes: 

 

 

 

Physician Burnout: Introducing AI Medical Scribe in Primary Care What to Look For in an AI Scribe AI Scribes in Your Practice: Your Responsibilities

 

Predictions on AI in Primary Care 2024

 

 

AI Scribe FAQs from the CMPA Using AI Scribes in Your Practice (CPSO)


 

 

 

Hear from clinicians on the value of AI scribes and our change management support!

 

 

 

 

“Using an AI Scribe has allowed me to focus more on listening to a patient’s concerns and working collaboratively to develop a management plan. It has significantly reduced the burden of documentation so I can serve my patients better. Primary care providers need these types of supports so they can spend more time with patients.”

 

 

If you have any questions about AI scribes,  do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected].