Embracing AI in Family Practice: A Physician’s Perspective

Chances are that if we've had a conversation in the last 3 months, I've brought up my use of an AI scribe in my day-to-day family practice.  In a time when family physicians are feeling demoralized and burnt out, I have found a glimmer of hope and 1 extra hour a day of time (yes, time!!).

I have tried 2 different AI scribes and am still deciding which one I will ultimately land on using, but they both have the same premises - I speak to patients, and the AI scribe summarizes our conversations in a SOAP note format.  Initially, I had imagined resistance from patients for using a new "scary AI" technology - but to this day (3 months in), I have not had one patient refuse my use of this tool.

Primary Care Specialist Collaborative

Just over a year ago approximately 100 colleagues from primary and specialty care gathered for an event entitled “Transforming the Way we Work Together”. Discussion focussed on how we can better communicate and coordinate between our two sectors to enhance shared patient care.

On January 31, 2024 the MWT-OHT held an All Partner Meeting. OHT members from community and hospital-based organizations from across the MWT-OHT attended and learned about 6 leading initiatives within the MWT-OHT.

Many patients have benefitted from the following collaborations in our OHT. Here is a summary of these Mid-West Toronto OHT programs:

• Open Door Program: Nurturing Health and Wellness

• In Your Corner Program: Bridging Gaps in Substance Use Support

• CAMH@Home: Empowering Community Transitions

• Integrated Pathways: Enhancing care for CHF and Lower Limb Preservation

• ALC: Seamless Transitions from Hospital to Community

• Connecting Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners in the MWT-OHT

• Artificial Intelligence: The Time has Come

• AI Scribe Evaluation Recruitment Information: Tell us what you think about using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scribes in Primary Care Practice

• OCEAN e-Services

SCOPE (Seamless Care Optimizing the Patient Experience) is a virtual, inter-professional care team that connects primary care providers to specialists, hospitals, community care and mental health resources n real-time.

• Endoscopy Referral: Mount Sinai

• New Urologist at WCH and MSH

• Introducing Dr. Ginette Moores: Expert Neurologist Specializing in Women’s and Obstetrical Neurology

• Kindercare Rapid Access Pediatric Clinic

• Toronto's LHIN Nursing Clinics

• ECHO Ontario Child and Youth Mental Health: Registration for January 2024 is open!

• Building Partnerships in Integrative Patient Care

• WEBINAR: Legal, Privacy and Security Update: What Clinicians Need to Know for 2024