How can AI tools best support GPs?

‘Scribes are one of the most rapidly adopted uses of AI in healthcare.’
 
That is Dr Janice Tan, Deputy Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Digital Health and Innovation, who presented a recent online education session for members, covering how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to support GPs. In particular, it focused on the new GP chronic condition management (CCM) plan items that kicked in 1 July.
 
‘The aim was to give GPs practical exposure to the AI tools that can support the new CCM items – from streamlining clinical notes to improving billing and care coordination,’ Dr Tan told newsGP.
 
‘It was also about creating a forum to demystify AI, explore how it might reduce pain points in chronic disease management, and allow members to ask questions and share concerns in a safe setting.’
 
More than 200 attendees heard presentations from Chair of the Specific Interests group Dr Sean Stevens and other GPs working in this space, focusing on how technology can support GPs to keep up to date with providing efficient, patient-centred care amid changes to chronic disease funding and care coordination.
 
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright was also at the session. He described it as a useful and ‘promising’ overview of what’s to come.
 
‘We know that many GPs are using scribe tools and other AI tools to improve the efficiency of what we do, and to do it in a way that is safe for patients and maintains high-quality care,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘It was great to see so many technological solutions on show and the rapid-fire format really helped to showcase the breadth of support that is available for practices to improve the efficiency of what we’re doing.’
 
With sweeping changes to chronic disease funding and care coordination under CCM plans, the RACGP session examined how AI can help GPs navigate the new landscape.
 
Dr Tan said communities like the RACGP Specific Interests Digital Health and Innovation are vital in helping members ‘learn from each other and move forward’ as a future-enabled workforce. 
 
‘The rapid growth of AI means GPs need to engage early – both to realise the benefits and to shape how these tools are safely used in practice,’ she said.
 
‘It was encouraging [at the session] to see the calibre of GP founders leading AI solutions, alongside non-GP founders who are collaborating with clinicians to design tools that truly fit primary care workflows.’
 
With the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s updated guidance about the regulation of AI-supported devices, Dr Wright said it was ‘reassuring’ to hear many of the providers at the event are aware of these changes and ensuring compliance. 
 
‘While AI tools can support GPs, we need to make sure these products are providing safe, quality care and complying with regulations,’ he said.
 
‘It’s really promising to see so many GPs involved in many of these companies, because it’s crucial that we have clinician involvement in these tools so they meet our needs and the needs of our patients, not just the needs of tech developers.’
 
While acknowledging the benefits of AI tools, Dr Tan agrees that safely and ethically integrating into everyday general practice care is paramount.
 
‘They can reduce administrative burden, capture more comprehensive documentation, and free up time for patient care,’ she said.
 
‘But this remains an unregulated space, with risks of bias, inaccuracies and “hallucinations” that could affect decision-making. Privacy, data governance and consent are also critical issues that need to be considered when choosing to use an AI scribe.
 
‘As the RACGP AI Scribe Factsheet makes clear, these tools can improve efficiency, but GPs must remain in control of the consultation and the accuracy of the medical record.’
 
The RACGP also recently released guidance for GPs on using conversational AI in consults and the associated risks.
 
Log in below to join the conversation.
 

AI scribes artificial intelligence chronic condition management plans digital health RACGP Specific Interests