The national general practice information technology (GPIT) group is exploring possible uses of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in general practice, the Medical Independent (MI) has learned.
Dr Conor O’Shea, GP and GPIT group National Coordinator, told MI that AI is “an evolving situation” and the group is monitoring different AI tools that could be of use to GPs.
“One of the great mantras is the doctor who works with AI is going to be better than either the doctor who doesn’t work with AI or the doctor who relies on AI completely,” Dr O’Shea remarked.
“We’re looking in a general sense at where it [AI] might go and looking at what might be applicable sooner rather than later. Within that you’ve got difficulties with new tools or lack of regulation in the area.
“Digital scribes, for example, are potentially very good, but there aren’t any local Irish regulations for companies supplying digital scribes. Then there’s a whole regulatory framework relating to GDPR and European AI laws, which need to be translated into an Irish setting. It’s early stages.”
Dr O’Shea explained that digital scribes are a combination of two pieces of technology.
“You can download a piece of software and ideally this is integrated into your clinical software; it will be in future, but not at present. What happens is the patient enters the consulting room and with appropriate consent you can start recording the consultation. The clever part is that not alone does it record the consultation, it translates that consultation into the recognised format of a clinical note.
“You can set up templates for the digital tool to take a recording and then translate the recording into a particular format. So it has listened to the conversation and has created a clinical note for you.”
The great advantage is that it is time-saving and GPs can look at their patient as opposed to looking at their computer screen and typing notes.
However, it is “absolutely critical” that GPs who use digital scribes “verify the output”.
“Because even though these tools are very good and very clever, they do make mistakes and they’re not perfect. GPs need to check what the note is before they copy and paste it into their record.”
Dr O’Shea noted that there are several companies that currently provide this type of digital scribe software. Other administrative tools are being developed, he added. For example, there are tools to automate reminders.
“If [you] do a prescription for a particular medication, for example, which requires a blood test in two or three months, you may get a prompt from the machine to tell you to do that…. Or even more standard recalls,” Dr O’Shea explained.
“There is big scope for use in administrative areas and ultimately down the road you will get the clinical decision support tools, which is where if records are computerised and comprehensive you may get prompts towards recommendations as to whether you make a referral or whether you prescribe a certain type of medication, for example.
“I would describe these AI tools as recommendations, rather than instructions for GPs. Like all things AI should get better as time goes by.”
Separately, Dr O’Shea highlighted the success of the introduction of chronic disease management in general practice.
This year, patients with chronic kidney disease (stages 4 and 5) and peripheral arterial disease will be added to the treatment programme. It is also understood the age cohorts will be expanded in the prevention component of the programme, allowing GPs to add younger age groups.
“We’ve just entered phase four upgrades which are really very small enhancements on what’s already been done, and they will be rolled out to GPs during the year. But I think most of the heavy lifting has been done and we’ll be fine tuning it from now on,” said Dr O’Shea.
“That has been a successful project and the HSE are producing data suggesting we’re getting better outcomes from looking after people in this way.”
The GPIT group comprises representatives from the Irish College of GPs, the HSE and the Department of Health and works to promote the e-health agenda in Ireland.
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