For patients
Our AI scribe: what you need to know
You can say no. Your care will be the same. You can ask to pause or stop at any time.
What is an AI scribe?
An AI scribe is a computer program. With your OK, it listens to your appointment and writes a first draft of your doctor's notes.
Your doctor checks the draft and fixes anything that is wrong. Only then does it go into your health record.
Why do clinics use it?
So your doctor can look at you and listen, instead of typing.
What it does and doesn't do
| It does | It doesn't |
|---|---|
| Record what is said in the appointment | Make decisions about your health |
| Turn the talk into written words | Diagnose you or suggest treatment |
| Write a draft for your doctor to check | Add things nobody said |
Your doctor reads, corrects and signs every note. Your doctor is responsible for it.
It's your choice
- Your clinic will ask you every time before using it.
- You can say no. Your care will be exactly the same. No extra cost, no extra wait.
- You can ask to pause or stop at any time, even halfway through.
- If you stop it, you can ask for what was recorded to be deleted.
Other people in the room
Everyone who might speak will be asked too. This includes family, carers, interpreters and students. If anyone says no, it won't be used.
If you can't decide for yourself, or you are under 15, your clinic will ask your parent, guardian or the person who makes health decisions for you. They will still ask you too.
What happens to your information
- Who: The AI scribe is made by PatientsHeard, an Australian company. They provide it to your clinic.
- Where: Your information is stored and processed in Australia only.
- Sound recording: deleted as soon as your doctor signs the note, and within 24 hours at the latest.
- Written transcript: kept for a time your clinic sets, then deleted. Ask your clinic how long.
- Signed note: goes into your health record at your clinic, like any other note.
- No AI training: your information is not used to train AI.
- Not sold: your information is never sold or used for advertising.
- Kept safe: it is encrypted (scrambled so others can't read it). PatientsHeard staff can only look at it if your clinic asks for help with a problem. That access is time-limited and recorded.
Your rights
- You can ask your clinic for a copy of your health record, including notes written with the scribe.
- You can ask your clinic to fix anything that is wrong.
- You can read the PatientsHeard privacy policy.
Questions or worries?
- Talk to your doctor or your clinic's reception team.
- Contact your clinic's privacy contact.
- If you are not happy with the answer, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): oaic.gov.au, 1300 363 992. You can also contact your state's health complaints body, or Ahpra if your concern is about a health practitioner: ahpra.gov.au, 1300 419 495.