Nicole Welsh, a nurse practitioner based in Sudbury, Ontario, has created an artificial intelligence-powered mobile application called Welluma that records patient-doctor conversations and produces easy-to-understand summaries. The app aims to address a common problem: patients often forget or misunderstand medical instructions after leaving a clinic.
How Welluma works
Welluma uses AI to transcribe and summarize medical visits in real time. After a consultation, the app generates a plain-language recap that includes key points such as medication dosages, follow-up appointments, and lifestyle recommendations. Patients can access these summaries on their smartphones and share them with family members or caregivers.
Welsh, who has worked as a nurse practitioner for over a decade, said the idea came from observing patients struggle to retain information during stressful appointments. “I saw firsthand how overwhelming a diagnosis or treatment plan can be,” she said. “Welluma gives patients a tool to review what was discussed at their own pace.”
Impact on healthcare
According to Welsh, studies show that patients forget up to 80% of what their doctor tells them within minutes of leaving the office. Welluma aims to reduce that gap, potentially improving medication adherence and reducing hospital readmissions. The app is currently available for download on iOS and Android platforms, with a pilot program underway at several clinics in northern Ontario.
Welsh emphasized that the app does not replace medical advice but serves as a supplementary resource. “It’s about empowering patients to take an active role in their health,” she said. The app also includes a feature that allows users to ask follow-up questions based on the summary, which can be sent to their healthcare provider.
Future plans
Welluma is seeking regulatory approval from Health Canada as a medical device. Welsh hopes to expand the app’s capabilities to include multilingual support and integration with electronic health records. “Our goal is to make healthcare more accessible and understandable for everyone,” she said.
