- AI to transcribe NHS appointments
- Privacy, accuracy concerns raised
- Government invests in NHS IT
Outrage has been generated over “creepy” proposals to have AI monitor the private medical appointments of NHS patients.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins stated that the initiative, in which AI generates notes automatically in the background, will increase efficiency by reducing the amount of time physicians spend on paperwork.
However, privacy and patient safety advocates expressed “huge concerns” regarding the security of patients’ data, cautioning that individuals could be harmed if they are unable to candidly discuss medical matters while being recorded out of embarrassment.
Others worry that the documents may contain errors.
The artificial intelligence responsible for transcribing Ms. Atkins’s speech introducing the plan inadvertently captured her using the term ‘Christmas’ to refer to England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty.
Yesterday, her declaration came after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled a £3.4 billion investment in NHS IT with the aim of enhancing productivity.
Ms. Atkins stated in the keynote address at the annual summit of the Nuffield Trust think tank that the “colossal sum of money” would have a transformative effect.
Doctors and nurses on wards have complained that “antiquated” computers impede their work, and she has pledged to modernize them by capitalizing on the “exciting opportunity” that artificial intelligence (AI) may present.
“I don’t believe we’ve had a full public conversation about what AI will mean for healthcare yet, but I believe we’re beginning to see signs of it in the United States,” Ms. Atkins continued.
She stated that voice-activated AI “is included in our productivity strategy.”
Ms. Atkins explained that time-crunched physicians will no longer “need to go and type up for 20 minutes” following each appointment; instead, “the notes will be generated, which will significantly reduce the time you have to spend tapping into a computer.”
“I would prefer that you attend to patients rather than stare at computer screens.”
The director of the over-60s advocacy organization Silver Voices, Dennis Reed, expressed “huge concerns” regarding the transcription of medical notes using artificial intelligence.
“There are significant privacy concerns here that the NHS must take seriously,” he stated.
Patients highly regard the confidential nature of their doctor-patient relationship; therefore, many would be apprehensive upon discovering that their dialogues are being monitored.
“A patient may be less candid than necessary during an AI-moderated consultation if they are embarrassed to discuss their medical concerns.”
This may result in them receiving an incorrect diagnosis or treatment, which may be harmful.
Additionally, there is concern regarding the fate of the recording after it has been uploaded to the cloud. Hacking is a perpetual possibility that could potentially occur.
It is evident from personal experience utilizing AI for certain duties, including conducting internet searches, that its accuracy only sometimes reaches one hundred percent.
Transcription errors have the potential to cause significant harm within a medical set of circumstances. And if it is attempting to extract the most significant points from the conversation, it might emphasize inconsequential particulars while disregarding critical ones.
This would require physicians to invest time verifying the accuracy of the transcriptions; therefore, it might not save any time in the end.
The privacy campaign organization medConfidential’s Sam Smith stated, “Patients should be informed of the manner in which their data is utilized, including who is recording it and where the transcripts are going.”
“Patients ought to identify this as the unsettling technological intrusion that it seemingly is.”
A director at tech-justice organization Foxglove, Cori Crider, remarked, “GPs are under indescribable pressure to see the greatest number of patients possible, in the shortest amount of time, due to the astronomical wait times.”
However, in the midst of the GPDPR scandal two years ago, patients overwhelmingly rejected the idea of the government or anyone else eavesdropping on private conversations with their doctor, with one million patients declining to share their data for one month.
This could be a literal lifesaver if the government regards individuals as adults and provides them with clear, transparent control and consent over how this technology is utilized.
However, gaining that trust is not something that can be accomplished quickly, and the government needs a better history of attempting to force patients to accept new NHS technology without obtaining their consent.
“Doctors and patients alike require the government to cease attempting to bypass this critical stage and improve.”
Additionally, Ms. Atkins disclosed that Steve Rowe, a former CEO of M&S, has been appointed by the Department of Health to oversee how the productivity plan “improves care throughout England.
She stated, “We are at the precipice of a medical revolution in which improved data, technology, and personalized therapies have the potential to alter outcomes for a more health-conscious generation than ever before.”
The NHS ought to capitalize on this opportunity and adopt a forward-looking approach rather than fixating on past practices. Indeed, it must have one to adopt an expression from M&S.
“This beloved British brand, which had been a mainstay on our high streets for decades, recognized the need for change and embraced modernity, thereby securing its long-term future by appealing to the next generation.”
“The NHS must take this action to ensure its continued existence for the next seventy-five years.”
Ms. Atkins continued, “I am thrilled to welcome Steve Rowe to the Department and adore M&S.”
“We are undertaking this action due to the turnaround story that M&S has undergone over the past five, six, or seven years,” the period during which they were essentially dormant, and everyone was concerned that stores would close.
“At present, I frequently engage in conversations with coworkers who are gushing about their exquisite new jackets, and they all confirm, ‘Oh yes, it’s from M&S.'”
“And it’s not just because they’ve heeded the advice of their customers; they’ve also recognized the need to progress. In my opinion, bringing Steve into the department to assist us not only with the productivity plan but also with other aspects of delivery will constitute a tremendously positive step forward.
Additionally, Ms. Atkin cautioned local NHS leaders during her address that they must be held accountable for how they spend taxpayer funds.
“Since the public funds public services for the public, that attitude is intolerable and must change,” she continued. “We must acknowledge this.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated, “When implementing new technologies that have a direct impact on patient data, trust is the most important factor.”
Ensuring patient confidentiality remains an unwavering precedence. It is erroneous and irresponsible to imply that the introduction of new technologies will compromise this confidentiality.
