Episode 123: Navigating Paperwork Overwhelm with Workflow Solutions for Family Medicine

Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. AJ (Amjed) Kadhim-Saleh, a dynamic family physician and entrepreneur from Toronto. Dr. AJ shares his inspiring journey from dreaming about building his own clinic during residency to actually opening the doors of his practice—starting with just a concrete slab and a vision of long-term sustainability in medicine.

The conversation dives into the nuts and bolts of setting up a clinic from scratch, the importance of efficient systems, and the sometimes-overwhelming administrative burden that comes with being both a physician and practice owner. Dr. AJ openly discusses the challenges he faced with paperwork, how it began to impact his family life, and the pivotal moment that led him to co-found Pippin AI, an innovative AI scribe designed to support family doctors.

Along the way, Dr. AJ and Dr. Smith explore the often overlooked business side of medical practice, the need for practical education in practice management, and how embracing change (with a little entrepreneurial grit and a supportive team) can help create a more sustainable clinical day—and a life outside of medicine.

Whether you’re a new resident thinking about your future, a physician looking for inspiration to build a more efficient practice, or just curious about how technology is shaping the future of primary care, this episode is packed with insights, practical tips, and plenty of encouragement to pursue your vision.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

1.  Build with Vision & Community: Starting a clinic from the ground up is about more than architectural plans—it's about designing systems, choosing supportive partners, and cultivating a team invested in sustainable change.
2.  Embrace Technology for Sustainability: Efficient tools—like secure patient portals and AI-powered documentation—can relieve the paperwork burden, free up precious hours, and allow us to focus on quality patient care (and our lives outside the clinic!).
3.  Change is a Team Sport: Successful practice transformation hinges on bringing your people along for the ride. Clearly communicate the “why” behind changes, tailor solutions to their needs, and foster an environment of ongoing collaboration and support.

Meet Dr. AJ (Amjed) Kadhim-Saleh:

Dr. Amjed Kadhim-Saleh (AJ for short) is a community family physician, clinic owner, and health technology entrepreneur in Toronto. AJ graduated medical school from the University of Ottawa, and completed his family medicine residency at the University of Toronto. Serving a diverse population of over 1700 patients, AJ is passionate about comprehensive family medicine and building efficient practice. AJ developed an AI-powered Physician Assistant called Pippen, which aims to alleviate administrative burden among physicians and encourage better doctor-patient interactions. AJ is also a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Toronto.

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