Toronto, ON (April 24, 2024) – The Ontario Medical Association is encouraged by the new steps the Ontario government is taking to help reduce administrative burden for physicians and improve access to care for patients.
A partnership with OntarioMD on a pilot program for AI scribe technology, new tools for employers to reduce the need for sick notes and plans to continue streamlining referrals and consultation forms are all positive steps forward.
“We know that every week, family physicians alone are spending about 40 per cent of their time on administrative tasks such as completing forms that require a doctor’s signature,” said Dr. Andrew Park, OMA President. “This time would be better spent on patient care and improving the overall work-life balance of our physicians. Today’s announcement helps us move in the right direction.”
The innovative AI scribe pilot is a partnership between OntarioMD, a subsidiary of the OMA, and the Ontario government. An AI scribe is an AI-powered tool that, with a patient’s consent, automatically summarizes or transcribes conversations between a doctor and a patient. The tool could help clinicians spend more time with their patients and less time on paperwork.
“OntarioMD is very encouraged by today’s announcement that will see AI scribe technology piloted with more than 150 primary care providers,” said Robert Fox, OntarioMD CEO. “AI technology has the potential to be an important part of a sustainable health-care system in Ontario and this step to review the clinical, legal and privacy implications is critical. We are proud to be leading the work and grateful to the physicians who are taking part in the pilot.”
The OMA has been advocating for several solutions aimed at reducing the administrative workload for doctors. We are encouraged to see government express their intention to address parts of this issue through new tools for employers to use instead of sick notes, an expansion of eServices, and a continuation of our work together to streamline medical forms. We remain committed to working in partnership to create the healthcare system Ontarians deserve.
“Anything we can do to help our physicians and the patients who need care is a necessary step forward,” said Kimberly Moran, OMA CEO. “There is a long list of things to do but we are encouraged with the partnership we have had with government in addressing these serious issues to ensure the health-care system becomes sustainable and our doctors are supported.”
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario’s 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health-care system.
For more information, please contact:
Emily English
OMA media relations
media@oma.org