When artificial intelligence saves doctors time

Although faxes are still used in our health care system, new technologies are also emerging. Artificial intelligence is making inroads, especially in family doctors' offices.

For the past month, Dr. Frédéric Picot has been using the artificial intelligence application CoeurWay to capture his meetings with his patients. “I didn't want to go back to the first day in the office right away,” he said.

A young company from Saguenay created this software. It is activated by a computer during a consultation with his patient. After obtaining the patient's consent, the doctor starts the recording and the doctor automatically notes the words he hears.

After completion, in a few seconds, a point-by-point summary will appear. “Fever for three days, profuse rhinorrhea, cough without hemoptysis”: captured by the artificial intelligence after a few minutes of discussion about flu symptoms, with unspoken medical terms during the discussion.

“I asked you how your work was going and all that, he didn't take that into account,” Dr. Picot said. After that, I should copy these sections and put them in your file.

Dr. Picot estimates that this saves significant time per appointment.

“I think I save 5 to 7 minutes (per patient), but above all I get back the joy of the relationship,” he explains, noting that he can see his patient rather than his computer.

“We want to get a good connection, but it's difficult. But there, I can dedicate to the patient and complete his file after he leaves, then I have the important stuff with the software.

Automatic terminals

At Nicollet Medical Clinic, there are three automatic patient check-in terminals that have been improving efficiency for more than a month. By scanning their health insurance card, the patient first sees their personal information: address and telephone number, which can be edited if necessary.

“Then, the appointment we have today is displayed on the screen,” explains clinic manager Hugo Lefebvre. Immediately upon confirmation, the doctor receives an alert on his computer about the patient's arrival.

“It definitely saves time for the doctor. It avoids queues at the secretariat and the clinic for the doctor,” noted Mr. Lefevre. “We really saw it as an additional tool if we ever had sick employees. It would help us, freeing them up for other tasks, we could optimize the office work.

“We have a shortage of human resources, we know that this is not the only solution that solves the problem,” underlined Dr. Picot, who has already targeted two other applications using artificial intelligence to help in his daily life.

“I think the best is yet to come in healthcare and I think there is no need to fear technology,” he concluded.