Dr Bella Wu: Reclaiming time and restoring balance with the power of AI

Dr Bella Wu, an Otolaryngologist from Richmond, BC, has always been an early adopter of technology, seeking innovative ways to enhance patient care. When the growing demands of medical documentation started overshadowing her passion for medicine, she saw an opportunity in AI.

Driven by a desire to alleviate the administrative burdens ingrained in the health care system, Dr Wu actively sought solutions. She joined Dr Tommy Gerschman, and eight other specialists in the three-month AI scribe pilot, coordinated through the Community-Based Specialist (CBS) Working Group. The pilot explored AI Contextual Charting in various specialist settings, offering valuable insights and opportunities to improve physician well-being.

"The pilot project wasn’t a quick fix, but it was invaluable,” Dr Wu reflects. “Over several months, our working group experimented with different AI scribe programs, creating a collaborative space to learn, adapt, and implement AI charting into our practices."

Last August, Dr Wu discovered an AI medical scribe that seamlessly integrated into her workflow, significantly reducing her cognitive load. "It felt like a breath of fresh air," she shares. The AI scribe captured patient encounters in real-time, generating comprehensive medical records and enabling her to shift her focus from mundane documentation tasks to more empathic conversations with her patients.

While specialists still review each AI-generated document for clinical accuracy, Dr Wu found this process far more efficient than creating records from scratch. "I feel less stressed about adding another urgent patient to the day," she notes, appreciating the newfound flexibility in her schedule and patient care.

"The difference is palpable," she adds. "I can maintain eye contact, engage in meaningful conversations, and listen to my patients without the distraction of taking notes." This shift has not gone unnoticed, with patients expressing appreciation for her undivided attention and genuine care.

As an advocate for physician well-being on the Richmond Hospital Medical Staff Association Wellness Committee, Dr Wu believes AI is vital in combating burnout. "AI scribe allows us to reclaim our time, rediscover joy in medicine, and ultimately provide better patient care," she emphasizes. Despite initial skepticism around AI, she encourages her friends and colleagues to embrace this new technology.

"It's not about replacing doctors," she clarifies, "but empowering us to practice medicine in a way that prioritizes both patient care and physician well-being." For Dr Wu, AI scribe has been transformative, offering a balance between professional duties and personal life. She is confident that as AI technology evolves, it will lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling future for both physicians and their patients.