Yukon Clinics Embrace AI Technology to Enhance Patient Care

Yukon government clinics have begun implementing an artificial intelligence medical scribe known as Heidi, developed by Australian technology firm Heidi Health. This initiative, which started earlier this summer, aims to streamline the administrative tasks of healthcare practitioners and improve patient interactions.

The introduction of Heidi is currently taking place at several clinics, including the Centre de santé Constellation Health Centre, Dawson City Medical Clinic, Whitehorse Walk-In Clinic, the Yukon Healthy Living Program, and the Yukon Midwifery Program. According to Alethea Stobbe, director of integrated health services within the Department of Health and Social Services, the AI tool is already being used in over 2 million patient consultations monthly across Canada.

Heidi functions by transcribing conversations between patients and clinicians in real time. At the end of each appointment, it generates a summary that the clinician can review before uploading the information into the patient’s electronic medical record. Stobbe emphasizes that clinicians must verify the accuracy of this information.

The decision to integrate AI scribes like Heidi stems from feedback regarding the substantial administrative burdens faced by medical professionals. Stobbe noted, “One of the things that we’ve heard from a lot of our practitioners over the past few years is just that there is a significant administrative burden.” She explained that the use of AI can alleviate the workload associated with charting and filling out referral forms.

In evaluating various medical scribe options, Heidi emerged as a preferred choice due to its customizations and high privacy standards. Stobbe stated that a privacy impact assessment was conducted to address the implications of introducing the AI tool. Under the Health Information Privacy and Management Act, such assessments are mandatory before launching new systems that handle personal health information.

Heidi is designed to retain data for 30 days, after which it is deleted, ensuring that patient information is not stored indefinitely. Stobbe reiterated the importance of compliance, noting that Heidi Health has committed to adhering to the privacy requirements set by the Yukon government.

The Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner’s office is currently reviewing the privacy impact assessment submitted for Heidi, as confirmed by spokesperson Tanis Davey. While the assessment is under review, the government does not need to pause the implementation process.

Dr. Derek Bryant, president of the Yukon Medical Association, highlighted the efficiency gained from using medical scribes. He reported that many healthcare providers in Yukon have had positive experiences with AI scribes, leading to improved patient engagement. “It supports docs by helping to create the documentation or the encounter note following a visit, so that the doctors can more readily focus on the patients that they’re talking to,” he explained.

Feedback from clinicians has echoed this sentiment. Stobbe mentioned that one nurse practitioner reported a shift in focus towards patient care with the assistance of Heidi. The cost structure for utilizing the AI tool is based on usage, and Stobbe indicated that the government is still finalizing the setup.

Within the first month of implementation, 17 clinicians began using the scribe, with that number doubling in the subsequent month. Four out of the five participating clinics are actively using Heidi, and efforts are underway to adapt the tool for other professionals, including dieticians and social workers.

Before a clinician begins using Heidi during an appointment, patients will be asked for their consent. “If the patient says yes, like I am comfortable and willing for you to use Heidi, the clinician will start the Heidi,” Stobbe explained. This process aims to enhance the overall healthcare experience while ensuring patient privacy and data security.