In a bid to revolutionize healthcare and alleviate the administrative burden on physicians, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) has been awarded a $1 million grant through the Health Care Unburdened Grant program. The program, a partnership between the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), MD Financial Management, and Scotiabank, aims to explore the role of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in reducing the extensive administrative tasks that doctors face.
The grant will enable KHSC to invite physicians from various healthcare providers in the area to integrate GenAI into their electronic health records (EHR) documentation process. The hope is that this will lighten the load on physicians, who currently spend around 18.5 million hours on administrative tasks, time that could be better spent with patients. The use of GenAI aims to tackle this issue by automating tasks such as recording patient interactions, synthesizing information, and generating clinical notes in the EHR.
“The burden of EHR documentation means physicians often split their attention between their patients and a computer screen during appointments, contributing to physician burnout and patient dissatisfaction,” explains the CMA’s website. By using GenAI to reduce administrative tasks, physicians will be able to devote more time and attention to patients, improving both the physician’s well-being and the patient experience.
Dr. David Pichora, the CEO of KHSC, believes that GenAI has the potential to evolve beyond the role of a digital scribe. While physicians will still need to review and verify the work of their AI assistant, Dr. Pichora envisions a future where AI can undertake more automated and intelligent tasks, such as suggesting tests or prescriptions, and even executing them once approved by the physician.
However, Dr. Pichora acknowledges the importance of ensuring a smooth transition for staff and optimizing the new health information system before integrating GenAI. Therefore, it is anticipated that the AI will be integrated into KHSC’s operations approximately six months after the implementation of the new health information system, allowing time for staff to become familiar with the new system.
Leading the study in Kingston is Dr. Siddhartha Srivastava, who will investigate the impact of GenAI on physician efficiency, well-being, and the overall patient experience. Dr. Srivastava emphasizes the importance of finding ways to ease the burden on physicians and prevent further attrition from the profession. “We must work smarter, not harder, to reduce the administrative burden on physicians and prevent them from leaving the profession,” he says. “Artificial intelligence holds promise to tackle some of the challenges we face.”
Physicians from various healthcare facilities, including Brockville General Hospital, Lennox and Addington County General Hospital, Providence Care, Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, and Quinte Health, will be invited to participate in the study.
With the increasing demand for healthcare professionals and limited resources and time to train and hire more staff, exploring the potential of AI to improve efficiency and satisfaction for both patients and physicians is of paramount importance. The Health Care Unburdened Grant program and the efforts of KHSC and its partners aim to pave the way for a future where AI plays a crucial role in easing the administrative burden on physicians, enhancing patient care, and advancing healthcare as a whole.
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