Health PEI will explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) scribe technology in primary care settings as part of its participation in a national collaborative pilot program with Health Canada and other provinces and territories. “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,” said Dr. Johan Viljoen, Chief Medical Officer at Health PEI. The AI scribe creates a temporary audio recording and transcript of conversations between doctors and patients during appointments, said a news release. The provider reviews, edits and approves the document before adding it to a patient’s records. “The AI scribe technology is designed to reduce the administrative burden associated with clinical documentation, allowing health care providers to spend more time focusing on patient care,” said the province. Health PEI is conducting the one year pilot until January 2027 under the national initiative with up to 100 eligible health care providers using AI scribe solutions integrated with provincial records. “The AI scribe has helped me document patient visits more efficiently while capturing more of the patient’s perspective and reducing the time I spend typing,” said Dr. Kristy Newson, a family physician in Charlottetown. “It allows me to maintain focus on the meaningful conversations with my patients during their appointments, which I really value. I find I am also finishing charts faster after hours, which is very helpful.” Newson said the pilot is in its early days but it’s already improved her workflow. A Canada Health Infoway survey showed 94 per cent of participating clinicians reported AI scribes save them time with 62 per cent saying they save more than 30 minutes per day. Participating healthcare providers must obtain patient consent before using AI scribe during an appointment. Patients will receive information about the technology ahead of their visit to make an informed choice. Patients may opt out at any time during their visit. “Patient choice and transparency are central to the pilot,” said the province. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
