The landscape of general practice in the United Kingdom is undergoing a significant transformation, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as a potential solution to the mounting pressures faced by GPs. As patient numbers continue to rise and appointment availability becomes increasingly scarce, innovative technologies are being considered to streamline administrative tasks and enhance the quality of patient care.
Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, a GP partner in Birmingham, has experienced first-hand the benefits of integrating AI into her daily practice. “Usually when I’m with a patient, I am writing things down and it takes away from the consultation,” she explains. “This now means I can spend my entire time locking eyes with the patient and actively listening. It makes for a more quality consultation.”
The introduction of AI-assisted tools, such as medical transcription software, has allowed Dr Misra-Sharp to reclaim valuable time during appointments. She reports saving “two to three minutes per consultation, if not more,” which translates to a significant reduction in her overall workload. This extra time can be redirected towards more meaningful interactions with patients, potentially leading to improved diagnoses and treatment outcomes.
The Growing Pressure on General Practice
The challenges facing GPs in the UK are well-documented. According to the British Medical Association (BMA), a single full-time GP is now responsible for an average of 2,273 patients, marking a 17% increase since September 2015. This rising patient-to-doctor ratio has led to increased workloads, longer waiting times for appointments, and concerns about the quality of care that can be provided within limited time constraints.
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of General Practice Committee UK at the BMA, acknowledges the potential of AI to transform NHS care but also urges caution: “We recognise that AI has the potential to transform NHS care completely – but if not enacted safely, it could also cause considerable harm. AI is subject to bias and error, can potentially compromise patient privacy and is still very much a work-in-progress.”
AI as a Solution to Administrative Burden
Research suggests that AI could play a crucial role in alleviating the administrative burden on GPs. A 2019 report by Health Education England estimated that even a minimal time-saving of one minute per patient from new technologies such as AI could equate to 5.7 million hours of GP time saved annually. Furthermore, a study conducted by Oxford University in 2020 found that 44% of all administrative work in General Practice could potentially be either mostly or completely automated.
One company at the forefront of this technological revolution is Denmark’s Corti. Their AI system has been developed to listen to healthcare consultations, either over the phone or in person, and provide real-time assistance to healthcare professionals. Lars Maaløe, co-founder and chief technology officer at Corti, explains the system’s capabilities: “The AI has access to related conversations and then it might think, well, in 10,000 similar conversations, most questions asked X and that has not been asked. I imagine GPs have one consultation after another and so have little time to consult with colleagues. It’s giving that colleague advice.”
Enhancing Cancer Detection with AI
Another area where AI is making significant strides is in cancer detection. C the Signs, a platform currently used by 1,400 GP practices across England, employs AI to analyse patients’ medical records and assess various signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with cancer. Dr Bea Bakshi, CEO and co-founder of C the Signs, explains the system’s functionality: “It can capture symptoms, such as cough, cold, bloating, and essentially in a minute it can see if there’s any relevant information from their medical history.”
The AI is trained on published medical research papers and can provide recommendations for further action based on its analysis. Dr Bakshi reports that the system has conducted more than 400,000 cancer risk assessments in real-world settings, detecting over 30,000 patients with cancer across more than 50 different cancer types.
Ethical Considerations and Patient Privacy
As with any new technology in healthcare, the introduction of AI raises important ethical considerations, particularly regarding patient privacy and data protection. Mr Maaløe of Corti emphasises that “the data is not leaving the system” and recommends informing patients about the use of AI during consultations. Dr Misra-Sharp follows this practice, stating, “I let patients know I have a listening device to help me take notes. I haven’t had anyone have a problem with that yet, but if they did, I wouldn’t do it.”
Alison Dennis, partner and co-head of law firm Taylor Wessing’s international life sciences team, warns of the potential risks associated with AI in healthcare: “There is the very high risk of generative AI tools not providing full and complete, or correct diagnoses or treatment pathways, and even giving wrong diagnoses or treatment pathways i.e. producing hallucinations or basing outputs on clinically incorrect training data.”
The Future of AI in General Practice
While AI shows promise in addressing some of the challenges faced by GPs, it is clear that its implementation must be carefully managed. The BMA’s AI report emphasises that “AI should be expected to transform, rather than replace, healthcare jobs by automating routine tasks and improving efficiency.”
As the technology continues to evolve, it will be crucial for healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology developers to work together to ensure that AI is integrated into general practice in a way that enhances patient care while maintaining the highest standards of safety and privacy.
For GPs like Dr Misra-Sharp, the benefits of AI are already being realised: “It has made me go back to enjoying my consultations again instead of feeling time pressured.” As the NHS continues to face mounting pressures, the thoughtful integration of AI technologies may offer a path towards more efficient and effective primary care services in the UK.