Why AI Could Help Family Doctors Drowning in Paperwork – But Uptake Remains Low
Dr. Rosemarie Lall, a Toronto family physician, was facing burnout due to the overwhelming paperwork involved in managing her practice. In a last-ditch effort to reclaim her time, she turned to AI scribe technology, which transcribes patient interactions into notes she can easily add to her electronic medical records. Thanks to AI, Lall now spends less time on administrative tasks and more time with her patients, even taking her first Christmas off in years.
1. AI Scribes: A Growing Need in Canadian Healthcare
According to a 2023 report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, doctors in Canada collectively spend nearly 49 million hours annually on paperwork. In Ontario alone, family physicians spend an average of 19 hours a week on administrative tasks. AI scribes could significantly reduce this burden, but despite promising results from pilot projects, adoption in Canada remains limited.
2. Benefits and Barriers to AI Scribe Adoption
AI scribes have demonstrated the ability to reduce time spent on paperwork by 70-90%. However, uptake is low due to concerns over data privacy and the cost of implementation. Doctors must ensure they obtain patient consent and store data securely, and most physicians are hesitant to pay the market price of $135 to $400 per month for AI services.
3. The Future of AI Scribes in Canada
Though only 3-5% of Ontario family doctors currently use AI scribes, experts believe more would adopt the technology if privacy and cost issues were addressed. Recommendations from the Ministry of Health and privacy regulators could provide much-needed clarity and guidelines for safe and secure AI implementation across the healthcare sector.
As AI technology evolves, it could play a critical role in reducing administrative burnout for family doctors, allowing them to focus on patient care instead of paperwork.
Source: Swifteradio
