Declining AI Use at Your Doctor’s Office: A Guide

Family physician Eric Boose has adopted an artificial intelligence tool that allows him to reconnect with what he describes as “traditional medicine”—engaging in face-to-face conversations with patients without the distraction of typing into a computer.

“I can genuinely focus on the patient, listen, and engage with them,” explained Boose, who is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic.

Approximately two years ago, he began employing an AI notetaker application during patient interactions. This tool listens to his conversations and automatically creates a summary of each visit, usually available within seconds after the appointment concludes.

“It handles all the tedious tasks of charting and note-taking during the visit,” he said. “This gives me more time to complete my duties, allowing me to return home to my family earlier.”

Nearly a third of physician practices are embracing AI scribes, with many others looking to adopt the technology to minimize administrative workload.

If your healthcare provider suggests the use of an AI scribe during your next appointment, consider these three important points:

At the beginning of the appointment, your doctor may inquire, “Are you comfortable with me using an AI scribe to assist with note-taking during this visit?” Typically, practitioners will seek verbal rather than written consent before activating the tool. However, legal requirements regarding patient consent for recording conversations can vary by state.

Boose noted that patients can request to pause the AI scribe anytime, especially if a sensitive topic arises. If you prefer not to use this technology, your healthcare provider will likely revert to manual note-taking.

Like other AI systems, medical scribes can occasionally introduce errors, or “hallucinations,” into the records they create. They might overlook vital information or fail to capture the context of a conversation accurately.

Clinicians are required to review and modify the AI-generated summaries before adding them to a patient’s medical record. Patients should also carefully examine their visit summary and inform their healthcare provider of any discrepancies they notice.

Companies that offer AI scribe technologies have access to medical information and are required to comply with federal regulations regarding data usage and storage, as outlined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

They may analyze information from your visit to enhance their software without notifying you, stated Darius Tahir, who writes about health technology for KFF Health News. “If data is ‘de-identified’—meaning it is stripped of personal identifiers—then it can be used more freely, with fewer regulatory constraints,” he explained. “This results in a simplified compliance process.”

If you’re curious about how your information is utilized, it’s advisable to inquire with your healthcare provider or system. However, obtaining a definitive answer may be challenging, Tahir warned.

The integration of AI technology into healthcare is expected to continue expanding. The previous administration strongly advocated for the advancement of AI, particularly within the medical field. In early 2025, an executive order was issued to reduce existing regulations on AI, with the goal of maintaining U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

In December, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled an AI strategy emphasizing the importance of integrating AI to modernize patient care and public health systems, thereby enhancing overall health for individuals and communities.