The growing demand for general practitioners (GPs) in the UK has made it increasingly difficult to secure appointments, and the pressure on doctors is only rising. As part of the solution, AI for GPs is being used to reduce administrative burdens, giving healthcare professionals more time to focus on patient care and improve the quality of consultations.
AI for GPs
Dr. Deepali Misra-Sharp, a GP partner in Birmingham, has found AI useful in reducing administrative tasks. She started using Heidi Health, an AI-powered medical transcription tool, four months ago. The tool listens to and transcribes patient consultations, enabling her to focus entirely on the patient.
“Instead of writing during consultations, I can actively listen and make better connections with patients,” she explains. According to Dr. Misra-Sharp, this technology saves her two to three minutes per consultation, reduces errors in notes, and improves patient care.
AI’s Role in Reducing GP Pressure
With the GP workforce declining and patient numbers rising, many doctors face immense pressure. A full-time GP now cares for 2,273 patients on average, a 17% increase since 2015, says the British Medical Association (BMA).
Research shows that AI could ease the burden. A 2019 Health Education England report estimated that AI tools could save at least one minute per patient. This would free up 5.7 million hours of GP time. In 2020, Oxford University researchers found 44% of administrative tasks in general practice could be automated, allowing GPs to spend more time with patients.
Companies like Corti are advancing AI for healthcare. Corti’s AI can listen to consultations and suggest follow-up questions, treatment options, and automate notes. It processes 150,000 patient interactions daily across Europe and the U.S. “This technology helps doctors spend more time with patients,” says Lars Maaløe, Corti’s co-founder. The system can even prompt questions based on patient history or patterns from similar cases.
Patient privacy remains a concern. Mr. Maaløe emphasizes that the data stays within the system and recommends informing patients. Dr. Misra-Sharp also informs her patients and reports no objections so far.
Another tool, C the Signs, uses AI to assess cancer risks by analyzing symptoms, medical history, and published research. This platform has performed 400,000 cancer risk assessments, detecting over 30,000 cancer cases across 50 types. It assists GPs in identifying risks and recommending next steps without making direct diagnoses.
Balancing AI’s Potential with Caution
An AI report by the BMA notes that AI will likely enhance healthcare jobs by automating routine tasks, not replacing them. However, safety remains crucial. Dr. Katie Bramall-Stainer, Chair of the BMA’s General Practice Committee UK, warns, “AI is promising but not a silver bullet. It must be implemented safely to avoid harm.” Alison Dennis from law firm Taylor Wessing adds that AI must rely on validated clinical data and meet regulatory standards to ensure accuracy and privacy.
For Dr. Misra-Sharp, AI has significantly improved her work-life balance. “It’s made consultations enjoyable again, freeing me from time pressure,” she says. While challenges remain, AI shows promise in reducing workloads and enhancing patient care.