Is AI A-OK? Medicolegal considerations for general practitioners using AI scribes

Good medical records are an essential part of healthcare. However, the burden of clinical documentation can reduce clinician productivity and add to stress and anxiety. Artificial intelligence (AI) scribes offer a solution by using large language models to predict text and rapidly generate complex records. Important medicolegal issues should be considered before adopting AI scribes into clinical practice.

This article examines this rapidly emerging field, the medicolegal issues faced by general practitioners and provides references to relevant legislation, guidelines and cases.

General practitioners (GPs) must understand how AI scribes work and test them before implementing them into their practice. Patient consent must be obtained before each use; data must be stored and retained in accordance with relevant privacy laws; and records must accurately reflect the content of the consultation, and comply with regulations governing their content and creation.