Moving forward together: A new space for primary care
Accessing primary health care support is getting easier.
- News
You may notice something new during your next appointment at Calgary Foothills PCN: your health team member spending more time looking at you and less time looking at a computer screen. That’s thanks to an artificial intelligence (AI) scribe, a tool PCN healthcare providers are using to make visits smoother and more personal.
Here’s what it means for you.
What’s an AI scribe?
The scribe is a type of technology assistant that helps doctors and other health team members take notes during your visit. It listens in the background, capturing what’s said (just like a human scribe might) and creates a draft of the medical notes.
Your doctor or health team member then reviews and edits that note before it’s added to your electronic medical chart.
More time with you
With this new tool, your doctor or health team member can give you their full attention instead of typing on a computer. They can listen closely, answer your questions and focus on what really matters: your health.
An AI scribe also lightens the paperwork load on health care professionals, helping providers stay focused and energized.
Capturing everything
When the computer captures details of the conversation in real time, your team member can double-check the record later. That’s especially helpful if you have several health concerns or take multiple medications.
Your choice
PCN health providers will ask your permission to use an AI scribe at every in-person appointment. Everyone has the right to say no to having the scribe take notes.
Privacy is protected
All our computer systems follow strict privacy laws set out by the Government of Alberta.
The scribe records audio from your conversation and uses it to create a text note. The audio is not stored long-term and no one is able to access it. Only your care team sees your information and the notes created by the AI scribe are always reviewed by your health team member before anything becomes part of your medical record.
“The security and privacy of your health information is a very high priority for the PCN,” says Allison Fielding, Acting Executive Director. “If you have any questions about how your information is protected, reach out to your health team member or ask them how to reach our PCN privacy officer.”
Read more about how the PCN protects your health information or our privacy policy.