AI scribe pilot taking out some of the paperwork for health-care workers in P.E.I.

Artificial intelligence is giving participating health-care providers in Prince Edward Island some relief when it comes to administrative burdens.

Health P.E.I. is participating in a Canada-wide pilot program that makes use of AI scribe within primary care. It pilot runs until January 2027.

The technology creates a temporary audio recording during appointments, the transcript of which is then reviewed and edited by the health provider before it's added to the patient’s electronic medical record.

Dr. Kristy Newson, a family physician at the Boardwalk Professional Centre in Charlottetown, is one of the 100 health-care providers on the Island taking part in the pilot. She said doctors and nurse practitioners who are taking part received training in mid-December.

“We've been using it pretty consistently in the new year,” she said.

With so many professionals taking part, thousands of patients have the potential to be impacted by the program, which is being paid for by Canada Health Infoway. 

Newson said patients will receive a document describing the project when they show up for appointments, and they can choose to allow its use or opt out.

During an appointment, Newson said she has her laptop with her to access a patient's chart, but she isn’t typing because the AI note-taking software is documenting everything medically relevant.

“I feel like it's been very helpful in making me more of an active listener because I don't have to worry about jotting down notes that I will have to remember for later in my day when I do my charting,” she said.

“I've been able to put my laptop to the side and really engage with the patients. So I've really enjoyed that.”

Dr. Johan Viljoen, chief medical officer of Health P.E.I., said in a news release that the authority is “committed to exploring innovative solutions” to improve experiences for patients and providers.

“While new technologies like AI offer significant potential, it is critical that they are introduced thoughtfully and responsibly,” Viljoen said in the statement.

“This pilot will help us better understand how AI tools can be safely and effectively integrated into our health system, while keeping patient care, clinical judgment and privacy at the forefront.”

Newson said she typically leaves herself an hour at the end of the day to do her documentation. She noted that health-care workers cite administrative burden as a big reason for burnout.