AI scribe tools are missing essential non-verbal cues, regulatory guidance needs to step up

Commenting on the review by researchers at the University of Edinburgh highlighting AI scribes’ failure to capture vital information -

Dr Sarah Townley, Deputy Medical Director at Medical Protection, said:

“Doctors frequently tell us about the burden of excessive administration tasks and their concerns about how this impacts patient care. We welcome AI scribe tools that are helping to minimise this element of their work but recognise the important risks highlighted by this review. Gestures, facial expressions and the tone of speech are key features when assessing patients and documentation of these details can also assist doctors with recall when patients return. Failure to capture this illustrates the limitations of this technology and the importance of a clear framework for practitioners to utilise AI safely.

“Our advice to doctors is that they are responsible for ensuring medical notes produced by transcription software are clear, legible, accurately reflect the consultation and do not omit potentially relevant information. When using AI scribe tools - particularly those requiring the sharing of personal data with a third party - informed consent should be sought from patients before use, and this should be documented.

“Doctors should also receive appropriate training on AI scribes so they understand their limitations and data protection implications and can reassure patients about how their personal information is being used and stored.”

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For further information contact: pressoffice@medicalprotection.org