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Regulators Probe AI Doctor Notes Amid Privacy Fears
5 Jul
Summary
- AI scribe use by Australian doctors nearly doubled from 22% to 40%.
- Concerns over data security and patient consent for AI scribes are rising.
- Regulators are reviewing AI scribes' classification and oversight.
AI scribe tools, which record, transcribe, and summarize doctor-patient conversations for medical notes, have seen a dramatic increase in popularity in Australia. Usage by doctors nearly doubled from 22% in August 2024 to 40% by November 2025. Despite their growing adoption to ease administrative burdens, the federal health department has flagged concerns about the limited oversight of these AI scribes.
Key issues include potential patient data security risks, with some cloud platforms sending data outside Australia, and concerns about transparency regarding their classification as medical devices. The department also noted implications for Medicare Benefits Scheme costs. Furthermore, significant variations exist in how patient consent is obtained, with an emphasis on the need for informed consent where patients understand the technology's benefits and limitations.
Multiple regulators, including the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, are actively reviewing AI scribes. The TGA is assessing whether they should be classified as medical devices subject to oversight, with a report expected in the coming months. Privacy concerns and the adequacy of consent protocols are also being closely monitored.
