The Australian federal health department has raised concerns regarding the use of AI scribes by doctors, noting that these tools have little oversight. The warning comes as the technology has gained traction in general practitioner (GP) surgeries, with a significant rise in their adoption over the past 18 months.
According to a poll by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the use of AI scribes by Australian doctors surged from 22% in August 2024 to 40% by November 2025. This rapid adoption highlights the growing reliance on technology to reduce the administrative burden associated with patient consultations.
Concerns About Oversight and Privacy
The federal health department's concerns stem from a Senate estimates briefing document obtained by Guardian Australia. The document indicates that AI scribes, which are designed to record, transcribe, and summarize conversations between doctors and patients, lack sufficient regulatory oversight. This raises questions about data security and patient privacy.
In February 2026, the department emphasized that while AI scribes can enhance clinician productivity, they are subject to limitations similar to those of other large language models. These limitations may impact patient safety and the integrity of data within Australia's national digital health infrastructure.
Regulatory Landscape for AI Scribes
Digital scribes are categorized as “medical devices” under the Therapeutic Goods Act only if they serve a therapeutic purpose. Concerns have been raised about some suppliers marketing their products as privacy-compliant, often with limited transparency regarding data handling practices.
Some suppliers have claimed that using AI scribes can lead to a 30% increase in revenue for healthcare professionals without additional patient consultations. However, this claim has implications for the Medicare Benefits Scheme costs.
Patient Consent and Ethical Considerations
A significant variation exists in how clinicians obtain consent from patients for the use of AI scribes. Dr. Elizabeth Deveny, CEO of the Consumer Health Forum, highlighted the need for consumers to understand the benefits and limitations of this technology before consenting.
Reports have surfaced of patients feeling pressured to consent to the use of AI scribes, with some psychiatrists refusing to accept patients who do not agree to their use. Deveny expressed concern that while AI scribes may save clinicians time, it is essential to determine whether this translates to improved patient care or merely increases billable activities.
Oversight of AI scribes in Australia is managed by a patchwork of regulators, including the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The TGA is currently reviewing digital scribes to assess whether they should be classified as medical devices, with findings expected in the coming months.
Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind noted that her office is closely monitoring the rollout of AI scribe technology, engaging with various stakeholders to address concerns about consent protocols and transparency in privacy policies.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Guardian Tech. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
