AI Scribes offering for CRA members

Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) has negotiated an exclusive discount and 1-month free trials to rheumatology-optimized AI scribes through a partnership with top vendors Scribeberry and Heidi Health.

CRA is working with Heidi Health and Scribeberry, developing rheumatology-tailored solutions designed to help you achieve high-quality clinical documentation and smooth onboarding.

General Information

What is an AI Scribe?

AI scribe technology works by leveraging artificial intelligence to automatically listen to and document patient-doctor interactions. The technology captures key details of clinical encounters, creating accurate and comprehensive clinical notes, referral letters and even patient handouts. By automating this task, AI scribes reduce the administrative burden on physicians, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality care to their patients.

CRA member volunteers participated in a 4-week pilot project to trial Scribeberry and Heidi Health to provide feedback on their experience. The experience overall was positive for the majority of participants. Reported benefits include time savings, reduced cognitive load and enhanced patient experience with more time looking at patients instead of a computer. Some of the reported challenges included lack of EMR integration, note formatting and styling restrictions and learning curve to optimize templates and embed into workflow.

A 4-week free trial is included in this offering to CRA members exclusively. Members, learn how to start your 4-week free trial to Heidi Health and Scribeberry here.

Active CRA members have access to Scribeberry and Heidi at a substantial discount. Members, view the CRA member-exclusive pricing here.

FAQs

AI Scribes use speech recognition and natural language processing (NLP) to convert spoken dialogue into written text. AI scribes also allow template customization to improve formatting and documentation accuracy.

No, most AI Scribes, including Heidi and Scribeberry, do not record or store audio. They transcribe conversations in real time but do not retain recordings, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations

Consent requirements vary by jurisdiction, but best practices include:

  • Explicit verbal consent at the start of the encounter.
  • A written consent form provided to patients before their visit.
  • A consent macro added to the final note stating that the AI Scribe was used with patient approval

  • Use AI Scribes that store data in secure locations (e.g., Scribeberry and Heidi store data in Canada).
  • AI Scribes ensure data is encrypted both during transmission and when being stored.
  • Inform patients that no audio recordings are stored and that AI transcription is used to enhance documentation efficiency.

Most EMRs in Canada do not enable integration with AI Scribes. You will need to cut and paste the final note from the AI scribe into your EMR.

  • Copy and paste previous information into the AI scribe to provide more context.
  • Use templates to standardize documentation.
  • Edit AI-generated notes manually to correct inaccuracies.
  • Experiment with different prompt wordings to optimize output

  • Review the AI-generated note before finalizing it.
  • Add specific instructions in templates to guide AI outputs.
  • Use the regenerate function to refine notes if errors occur.
  • Manually edit key sections to ensure accuracy.

  • Standard computer microphones work for most users.
  • For better clarity, use multi-directional microphones like Blue Yeti.
  • Avoid unidirectional noise-canceling microphones, as they may filter out parts of the conversation.

To ensure proper formatting, try these approaches:

  • Add explicit instructions in the template, e.g., “List lab values in a single line.”
  • Edit the generated note manually for accuracy.
  • Experiment with different phrasing in your AI prompts.

Yes, AI Scribes can typically be accessed via web browsers, mobile apps, or desktop applications. However, using the same account on multiple computers simultaneously may cause syncing issues.

  • Check your internet connection—AI scribes require stable connectivity.
  • Clear browser cache or restart the application.
  • Ensure your microphone is working properly.
  • Contact vendor support for persistent issues.

  • Watch tutorial videos provided by the AI Scribe platform.
  • Join user forums or WhatsApp groups for shared experiences and best practices.
  • Attend vendor-hosted webinars to learn advanced features.

  • Getting patient consent and documenting it properly.
  • Adjusting AI-generated notes to match preferred writing styles.
  • Minimizing errors and hallucinations in transcription.
  • Formatting notes efficiently within EMRs.
  • Optimizing workflow integration for best efficiency.

  • The CRA has negotiated preferred pricing and a full free trial for its members.
  • Contact the CRA for billing issues or subscription changes.
  • Obtain your free trial on our members portal here.

“Using AI scribes has transformed my practice. I’m able to focus on the patient’s clinical status as opposed to focusing on the computer. The burden of documentation has been eased, as the note is done at the end of each visit, letting me finish the day with a smile!”

Dr. Vandana Ahluwalia
CRA member, Informatics Task Force co-chair

“I just love this system, it’s changed my life. This program is easy. I find the patients are fascinated by it and find it helpful. I don’t look at the screen of the computer for encounters.”

Dr. Wayne Potashner
CRA member

“Getting this to work for you takes some configuration but with rheumatology-focused templates, we have tried to make this process as simple as possible. I think everyone can benefit from the reduced cognitive burden with clinical documentation that AI scribes help provide.”

Dr. Tommy Gerschman
CRA member, Informatics Task Force co-chair

Not a CRA member, yet?
Join today.

Learn more about the pilot project:

AI Scribes Infogrphic

Do you have any questions? Please contact the CRA at info@rheum.ca.