Ambient AI in primary care: an exploratory mixed methods survey of UK general practitioners
Charlotte Blease, Anna Kharko, Carolina Garcia Sanchez, David Navarro, Brian McMillan, Jens Gaab, Cosima Locher, Enrico CoieraObjective
To examine UK general practitioners’ (GPs) adoption of ambient artificial intelligence (AI) scribes and to assess user-reported error rates, workflow impact and consent practices in primary care.
Methods
We conducted a nationwide online mixed-methods survey of GPs recruited via
Results
In August 2025, of 1003 respondents, 14% (n=141) reported current use of ambient AI scribes, 39% (n=396) intended to adopt them soon and 46% (n=466) had no plans to use them. Among users (n=141), Heidi Health predominated (86%). Most reported efficiency gains: 80% (n=112) reported reduced time spent on documentation and 70% (n=99) reduced cognitive load. Documentation quality was judged positively, with 55% (n=78) rating outputs as better than standard notes. Errors were common but usually minor: 32% (n=45) reported errors often/always, including 14% (n=20) with significant-to-critical implications. Errors were most frequent in multiparty consultations (38%), complex histories (35%) and non-English encounters (31%). Consent practices varied: 63% (n=89) routinely sought consent, with ≤10% of patients declining. Free-text responses (21% of users) highlighted benefits for workflow, alongside concerns about accuracy, ethics and system integration.
Discussion
Findings suggest that ambient AI scribes deliver meaningful efficiency gains and improved perceived documentation quality, but introduce non-trivial risks related to accuracy, equity and medicolegal accountability. The uneven performance in complex and multilingual consultations raises particular concerns about potential exacerbation of healthcare disparities.
Conclusion
Ambient AI scribes are already in use across UK primary care. Proactive regulation, consistent consent practices and independent evaluation, including patient perspectives, are urgently needed to ensure safe, equitable and sustainable implementation.