Consultations with your general practitioner are looking a little different these days as doctors can give patients more attention, thanks to the help of artificial intelligence.
While some patients are welcoming the rise of AI notetaking softwares, others remain wary of data and privacy breaches and are questioning how far the technology should go.
“Over half our GPs here are using AI note taking software’s called Lyrebird” practice manager Janine Greenwood said.
As AI continues to change industries around the world, doctor’s consultations are starting to promise less time behind the computer typing, and more time focusing on patients.
But as the technology develops, patients and health professional’s questioning where AI’s role should end.
More attention, less typing
Long-term patient of Cottesloe Medical Centre, Adele Carroll welcomes the change, saying AI has allowed her doctor to give her more attention rather than looking at a computer typing notes.
Adele’s GP recently began using Lyrebird, an AI notetaking system that records the consult before transcribing the notes for the doctor and adding them to the patient’s file.
“I feel confident in my care because it’s purely being used as a dictation device,” Adele said.
However, her comfort with the technology has limits.
“I’d be more cautious around it diagnosing and recommending treatment,” she said.
To help address concerns around patient consent and privacy, the practice has procedures in place before AI software is used during a consultation.
Practice manager of Cottesloe Medical Centre Janine Greenwood said, “Patients are always asked and required to give consent before their consult if their GP is using an AI software and we have had a few decline.”
“The only thing we have come across is sometimes information has been transferred to other patient’s files,”
“it’s not happening often, but it has happened,” Janine said.
While these incidents may be uncommon, the possibility of medical information making its way to the wrong patient’s file adds to concerns around the growing use of AI and its role in healthcare.
Where are the limits?
Not all doctors have embraced AI notetaking. General Practitioner, Dr Chris Newall does not use the software during consultations, instead utilising more traditional methods.
“I still write scripts and referrals. It’s what I feel comfortable doing,” he said.
Dr Newall does however see the benefits of the technology describing AI as an “amazing” tool but stressing the importance of medical knowledge when interpreting the information it produces.
“I think the privacy issue is something that would probably be what most people have concerns about,” Dr Newall said.
With AI taking on a larger role in healthcare, patients and professionals are becoming more comfortable with the technology assisting doctors but remain firm on it not replacing human judgement.
“The risk, I suppose, is that people overall may lose skills as AI becomes more involved,” he said.
For Adele the distinction must remain clear, AI can help her doctor spend less time looking at the screen, but when it comes to a diagnosis and treatment, she still wants a human health professional sitting across the table from her.
So, while AI becomes increasingly present in the consultation room the question may not be whether doctors will use it but rather how much responsibility doctors and patients are willing to give it.
