By Kathy Tudor, Ontario patient and Director, Marketing & Communications, OntarioMD
When I walked into my doctor’s office last month, I noticed something new. Instead of typing frantically on her computer while I talked, she had her laptop open and said, “Just so you know, I’m using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool today that helps me take notes during our visit. It lets me focus more on you. It’s called an AI scribe.”
At first, I wasn’t sure what to think. AI in health care sounded futuristic — and maybe a little impersonal. But as the appointment went on, I began to see how this technology wasn’t replacing anything essential. It was enhancing what matters most: the connection between doctor and patient.
More Conversation, Less Typing
Usually, my doctor spends a good chunk of our time together entering notes into my chart. I completely understand — everything needs to be documented — but it can make the visit feel rushed or disconnected.
This time, it was different. As I talked about my symptoms, she looked at me, not the screen. The AI scribe was transcribing and summarizing the conversation in real time. She occasionally glanced over to make sure it captured things correctly, but mostly, she was fully engaged.
It felt like the kind of visit we used to have before she started using a computer: more eye contact, more listening, more empathy.
Accuracy and Clarity
At the end of the appointment, she showed me the AI-generated summary before saving it to my record. I was surprised by how detailed it was — every symptom, medication, and next step was there, clearly organized.
She made a few small edits to correct phrasing, but overall, the notes were spot on. For the first time, I felt completely confident that what we discussed was captured accurately, not lost in translation between conversation and documentation.
Protecting Privacy and Building Trust
Of course, I asked about privacy. Where did all this information go? My doctor explained that the AI scribe she was using doesn’t record or store our conversations outside my medical record and all data is encrypted. Her AI scribe is designed with strong security safeguards, ensuring that my personal health information is protected and compliant with privacy regulations.
That reassurance mattered. Trust is the foundation of the doctor–patient relationship and knowing this new tool respected that made me more comfortable.
Knowing that Ontario’s digital health system — including organizations like OntarioMD — are working to make AI technologies safe, secure, and effective, also gave me confidence in how my information is being managed.
More Time for Care
What really struck me was how much time this freed up for her to focus on what she does best: caring for patients. Instead of staying late to finish notes after hours, she said the AI scribe handled most of the documentation during visits. That means less burnout for her and time for patients. As a patient, that matters. When my doctor has more time and energy, I feel it in the quality of care I receive.
It also made me realize how much invisible work doctors do — the paperwork, charting, and data entry that often take them away from caring for people.
The Human Touch Still Matters
AI didn’t replace my doctor — it amplified her. The technology handled the routine tasks so she could do what no algorithm can: connect, empathize, and interpret.
At the end of the visit, I told her it was the most relaxed appointment we’d had in years. She smiled and said, “That’s the goal — less typing, more talking.”
If this is what the future of health care looks like, I’m all for it. AI might be the new assistant in the room, but the heart of care — the human touch — still belongs to my doctor.
Interested in Adopting an AI Scribe?
If you’re a clinician eager to learn more about AI scribes, visit the OMD Practice Hub. The site has practical information, including tips on optimizing AI scribe workflows, AI-related articles, a Patient Consent Toolkit, Transition Support Guide, and Frequently Asked Questions on legal and privacy considerations on AI use and the Ontario AI Scribe Program.
Contact OMD at support@ontariomd.com to explore what AI can do for your practice.