Roger Neighbour on using AI in GP consultations

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Professor Roger Neighbour, former GP and past president of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). We discuss how AI-powered tools like Heidi Health and Clinitalk are providing new opportunities for GPs and GP trainees. We discuss:

• The impact of AI scribes on GP consultations - are they are a game-changer?
• The benefits and risks of increased use of AI in consultations – will this enhance clinical decisions or deskill doctors?
• Training implications – can AI provide useful real-time feedback to trainees?
• The balance between transactional (efficiency-focused) and relational (patient-focused) medicine.

“There’s a kind of schism developing between the transactional ways of conducting general practice and the relational ways. I can see that AI could be extremely useful in a transactional consultation to make sure that the actual clinical business got transacted efficiently and effectively …but if we have too great a reliance on that, it could potentially lead to an erosion or possibly an abandoning of some of the other human values, things like kindness, empathy, thoughtfulness, and the cultivating of a personal relationship with patients. And, if AI is sold on the basis of it will save you time, you don't need to write notes anymore, then something is at risk there…”

Our conclusions?

• AI scribes can reduce the administrative burden, but we must ensure they do not remove the “thinking” process in consultations.
• AI may help reduce clinical errors and help standardize best practices but must be integrated carefully into workflows.
• AI tools like Clinitalk offer real-time educational feedback, helping trainees develop consultation skills.
• A significant risk for the future of GP consulting may be an over-reliance on AI, leading to a loss of skills like empathy, intuition, and relationship-building.

BJGP Editorial: yesterday’s man? (By Prof Roger Neighbour)

Consulting in a Nutshell: A practical guide to successful general practice consultations before, during and beyond the MRCGP

AI Scribe compared in General Practice eGPlearning YouTube video comparing  Kiwipen Tortus Anima and Heidi Health.

Clinitalk Website

Clinitalk: AI Empowered GP Training (Prof Anwar Khan)  WilmslowGP YouTube video

Clinitalk: Demo, Security & Pricing  (Dr Nic Boeckx)  WilmslowGP YouTube video

Any feedback or comments are welcome via mail: alex.defranco@phs.scot    www.snughealth.org.uk