According to Marie Lavoie, co-founder of the company, health professionals can spend more than 30 hours a week taking notes and filling out forms. (Photo: courtesy / Trium Médias)
The regional company specializing in digital CoeurWay plans to launch an application in January 2024 that will make it easier for health professionals to take notes. Rather than filling out administrative forms by hand, they will use voice recognition, which should allow them to devote more time to their patients.
Marie Lavoie, who founded the company with her partner Antoine, emphasizes that the software in preliminary alpha version is already used by nursing students at Cégep de Chicoutimi. In September, another preliminary beta version will also be tested by around a hundred professionals to improve it.
“The application, accessible on a computer, tablet or telephone, records the voice and the note is generated automatically and in standardized format, respecting the requirements of professional orders. It’s not the time that professionals lack, it’s the paperwork that is too much,” she mentions.
She adds: “a statistic says that if we could automate note-taking in the health system, it would be the equivalent of adding 1,600 doctors to the network. This is a big addition! This is why we are in discussions with the Ministry of Health to make it accessible throughout the province.”
Funding
CoeurWay recently received $250,000 from an anonymous private investor, which allows it to continue the development of its platform. A helping hand appreciated by the young mother of Innu origin who lives in Saguenay.
“What this allows us to do is continue the research. This funds the project before having sales and revenue for another round of financing. We’re really into technological innovation and it’s not always easy when you’re in the region like us. We consider ourselves really lucky. But we cannot rest on our laurels. We continue to work hard. The passion is there and the team is well-knit.”
CoeurWay was also recently selected by Esplanade Québec’s Acceleration program. From September, the regional company will therefore have the help of experts in the health sector to continue to develop its project.
“We will have support from people specializing in health. We also have a good network of contacts to open doors at other CIUSSS levels. We start with Quebec and it is important for us that it is accessible in French. Similar technologies are already available, but only in English.”
According to Marie Lavoie, healthcare professionals can spend more than 30 hours a week taking notes and filling out forms.
“We want to offer them a solution so that they can concentrate more on their patients. It will really eliminate paperwork.”
