Unburdening Primary Healthcare with an Open Source AI

Background: Primary care practitioners have been experiencing adverse effects, such as burnout, due to the task load they have daily. In response to the growing administrative and cognitive burdens on primary care practitioners, this project introduces an open-source artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to act as a real-time partner during patient encounters. The system innovates beyond traditional digital scribing by providing proactive, customizable assistance to reduce cognitive load, streamline documentation, and optimize interactions with electronic health records (EHRs). A collaboration between Conestoga College’s SMART Centre and Ontario physician leaders, the platform aims to address physician burnout and workflow inefficiencies exacerbated by electronic health records (EHRs). Key objectives include ensuring security, privacy, scalability, and adaptability through open-source licensing to foster transparency and collaboration. Proposed Methods: This pilot project will employ a mixed-methods approach, collecting data on practitioners’ time management and job satisfaction to evaluate the platform’s impact. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis will guide the assessment of efficiency gains and satisfaction improvements. This AI platform seeks to mitigate the adverse effects of EHR usability issues, which contribute significantly to clinician burnout and diminished patient care quality. Implications: By providing ethical, non-intrusive, and equitable solutions, the initiative prioritizes clinician well-being and enhanced patient outcomes. It represents a scalable, innovative approach to transforming primary healthcare delivery while maintaining a commitment to transparency and security.