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

Background: 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.

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

Discussion: 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.