An initiative by the Government of Prince Edward Island to enhance the digital health literacy skills of residents.
Behind the screens: AI in Canadian health care settings
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already part of everyday life – from the virtual chat on your banking app, to the way Netflix suggests what you might like. Now AI is being used to help doctors, nurses, and other health care providers.
On PEI, health care teams are exploring how AI tools can support both patients and professionals to help enhance patient care.
Here are some examples of how AI is being used in Canadian health care:
- Notetaking: AI scribe tools can create draft summaries of your medical appointment. They can also help fill out forms or write a referral while you’re still in the room. Your health care provider will review and edit any draft document before it’s added to your electronic health record. This saves time on paperwork and gives providers more time to focus on you.
- Medical imaging and detection: AI can study medical images – like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs – along with information from physical exams and family history. This helps doctors detect diseases that can be prevented or treated. For example: AI tools can help spot signs of cancer, broken bones, or strokes quickly and accurately, which can lead to earlier treatment.
- Remote monitoring: AI-powered tools can collect and interpret your health data even when you’re not at a clinic. This includes everything from smartwatches to COPD monitors. These tools can track health data and alert providers if you need help, which can prevent unnecessary hospital or clinic visits.
It’s normal to have questions or concerns about new technology, especially when it involves your health. But AI in health care is not meant to replace people – it’s meant to support them.
In our province, this smart technology will be used to help provide you with more personalized, efficient, and quality care. And, as always, you can be confident that the appropriate privacy and security reviews have been done for any government and Health PEI supported use of AI.