Ambient AI in primary care: an exploratory mixed methods survey of UK general practitioners - Report - MDSpire

Ambient AI in primary care: an exploratory mixed methods survey of UK general practitioners

  • By

  • Charlotte Blease

  • Anna Kharko

  • Carolina Garcia Sanchez

  • David Navarro

  • Brian McMillan

  • Jens Gaab

  • Cosima Locher

  • Enrico Coiera

  • July 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Exploring the Use of Ambient AI in Primary Care

Background

Ambient AI scribes are emerging as tools in healthcare, raising questions about accuracy, consent, and equity in patient care. Understanding GP perspectives on these technologies is essential for their integration into practice.

Data Highlights

MetricValue
Current users of ambient AI scribes14% (n=141)
Intended adoption39% (n=396)
No plans to use46% (n=466)
Reported efficiency gains80% (n=112)
Improved documentation quality55% (n=78)
Errors reported often/always32% (n=45)

Key Findings

  • 14% of GPs reported current use of ambient AI scribes.
  • 80% of users reported reduced time spent on documentation.
  • 70% of users experienced a reduction in cognitive load.
  • 32% of users reported frequent errors, with 14% indicating significant-to-critical implications.
  • 63% of GPs routinely sought patient consent for using ambient AI scribes.
  • Concerns were raised about accuracy, particularly in complex and multilingual consultations.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers must remain vigilant regarding the accuracy of outputs and the ethical implications of using ambient AI scribes.

Conclusion

Ambient AI scribes are utilized in UK primary care. Ongoing evaluation and regulation are needed for their integration into clinical workflows.

Related Resources & Content

  1. NHS England, Guidance on the use of AI-enabled ambient scribing products in health and care settings, 2025 -- Guidance on AI-enabled ambient scribing
  2. JMIR Medical Informatics, The Regional Implementation of an Electronic Health Record–Integrated Ambient Scribe in Primary and Secondary Care in England: Real-Time Qualitative Evaluation, 2026 -- Real-Time Evaluation of Ambient Scribe
  3. JMIR Medical Informatics, Selecting, Scaling, and Measuring the Value of Ambient AI in a Nonacademic Health System: Multiphase Pilot Study, 2026 -- Measuring Ambient AI Value
  4. Frontiers in Digital Health, Implementing AI innovation in radiology departments in the English NHS: a qualitative study on the experiences of professionals, patient groups and innovators, 2026 -- AI Innovation in Radiology
  5. DIGITAL HEALTH — Allied health professional attitudes toward artificial intelligence in healthcare: A UK cross-sectional survey
  6. NHS England Guidance on AI-enabled Ambient Scribing
  7. NHS England » Guidance on the use of AI-enabled ambient scribing products in health and care settings
  8. Ambient AI Scribes in Clinical Practice: A Randomized Trial - PMC

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