● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact
Australia warns on privacy as AI scribe usage by doctors surges
Key points
- AI scribes used by doctors nearly doubled in Australia over 15 months.
- Federal health department warns of privacy risks and oversight issues.
- Suppliers may not realize data is sent outside Australia.
Increased Use of AI Scribes
The adoption of AI scribe technology by Australian doctors has seen a substantial rise, with user rates climbing from 22% in August 2024 to 40% by November 2025, according to a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners poll. This increase is attributed to the tools' ability to alleviate the administrative burden associated with patient consultations.
Privacy and Oversight Concerns
The federal health department has expressed concerns regarding the limited oversight of AI scribe technologies. They are classified as 'medical devices' only when serving a therapeutic purpose. The department highlighted issues related to data security, stating that some suppliers might not be aware their platforms send patient data outside of Australia.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The health department also points out that while AI scribes can improve productivity and reduce clinician burnout, they share the inherent limitations of large language models in terms of data quality and accuracy. This may have further implications for patient safety and clinical accountability.
Variability in Patient Consent
There is significant variation in how clinicians obtain consent from patients for using AI scribes. The health department emphasizes the necessity for informed consent, which involves patients fully understanding the benefits and limitations of AI technology.
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Reporting from
The Australian federal health department has raised privacy concerns over the rapid adoption of AI scribes by doctors, which increased from 22% to 40% usage in 15 months. The department noted issues regarding patient consent, limited oversight, and potential risks to data security from suppliers.