Artificial Intelligence (AI) scribes can help reduce the administrative burden but they can’t replace the work of a health professional and must be used with caution, says Australia’s peak body for general practitioners.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) have released new guidance on using AI scribes.
Key points from the guidance include:
- Ahpra supports the safe use of AI in healthcare, recognising its potential to improve health outcomes and create a more person-centred health system.
- RACGP acknowledges that AI has great potential in general practice, while emphasising the need for careful risk mitigation.
- Both organisations stress that practitioners remain responsible for delivering safe, quality care when using AI tools.
- Transparency with patients and obtaining informed consent are highlighted as important considerations.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said AI scribes can help GPs and their patients.
“The administrative burden on GPs needs to be reduced urgently,” she said.
“Our annual Health of the Nation report found GPs are increasingly reporting the administrative workload and associated stress among their greatest concerns.
“Where AI scribes can help is in automating parts of clinical note-taking. For example, they can convert conversations into notes, which can be incorporated into health records, and given to patients to help them remember and follow the advice.
“These tools will also allow GPs to focus on the patient instead of their computer during a consult, meaning happier patients,” Dr Higgins said.
“However, AI scribes need to be used with caution as it is an emerging technology and there are risks.
“Patients must be informed and provide consent for them to be used during a consultation. And GPs need to ensure the tool they use is compliant with Australian laws for safe data collection and storage.
“It’s important to understand AI scribes cannot replace the work GPs do to prepare clinical documentation, and doctors must carefully check their output for accuracy, as they can make mistakes.”
“Everyone deserves the quality care that comes from having a GP who knows you, and your health history – AI can never replace this relationship. But it can help with administrative tasks, and this will help GPs focus more on our patients, which is what we want.”
Despite that sense of caution, at least one clinician has hailed the guidance as a “game-changer”.
Mr Darren Ross, chief executive of PatientNotes and a musculoskeletal physiotherapist with over 25 years of clinical experience, said the guidance provided “much-needed clarity”.
“This clarity from Ahpra and the RACGP is a game-changer for the healthcare industry. It provides a solid framework for practitioners to confidently embrace AI tools that can significantly enhance patient care and reduce administrative burdens,” he said.
“It means that when they encounter AI-powered tools like PatientNotes in their healthcare journey, they can be confident that these technologies are being used responsibly, with their privacy protected and their best interests in mind.”
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