Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your practice can optimize business processes, improve patient care, and enhance clinic efficiency. Clinics that have implemented AI technology see less staff turnover and employees who feel less frustrated with repetitive tasks.
Using AI in your practice
Many BC physicians have started, or would like to start, using AI scribes during patient visits. Doctors of BC has a practical guide on how to implement AI scribes, privacy and security considerations, and limitations.
Other systems that use AI to streamline workflow processes are document triaging services, which can read and label the large number of faxes and emails that clinics receive.
By using tools like chatbots or schedulers that integrate with EMRs, AI can automate administrative tasks, such as appointment scheduling, pre-appointment patient information gathering, or using automated messaging to respond to online reviews. Offloading these tasks onto AI can enhance patient engagement and communication by handling routine inquiries, reducing call volumes, and freeing up staff time for more complex tasks.
Things to consider
There are many vendors offering AI services and products; selecting one can take time. It’s best practice to look for a Canadian company and ensure they are meeting privacy and data regulations. To help, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) has released interim guidance to help promote responsible use of AI. Physicians have a responsibility to ensure that patient privacy and confidentiality are being maintained, and safeguards are in place.
The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) also provides some guidance on using AI in medical clinics. When applicable, you will need to obtain patient consent when implementing certain AI technology into your practice. For example, patients will need to consent to being contacted by text or email.
More AI work in health care is outlined in this report from Digital Health Canada.
Any change to your business model brings challenges and considerations. Those associated with implementing AI in a clinic can include the software costs, training staff, and adherence to privacy and data storage regulations.
AI has the potential to decrease repetitive clerical work in medical clinics, and despite the learning curve, it can be a worthwhile investment.
