More and more physicians are using AI scribes to help with patient documentation. A new report, however, offers a cautionary reminder that physicians are ultimately responsible for ensuring all of their chart notes are accurate, regardless of how they are drafted. 

What’s new: AI-powered medical scribes are spreading quickly, promising to reduce documentation burden and burnout. But a new investigation found some tools are generating false or misleading information — so-called ​“hallucinations” — inside patient notes. 

• A University Health Network physician reviewing records found examples where AI systems added details that were never discussed during visits. 
• In one reported case, the software inserted a symptom the patient denied having. 
• Experts warn even subtle inaccuracies could affect diagnoses, referrals, medications, or medico-legal documentation. 

Why it matters: While consumer AI tools, like ChatGPT or Gemini, are also prone to hallucinations, the concern in medicine is higher stakes. 

• Inaccurate documentation could affect future monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment decisions. 

Take a Sec to Double Check! 

Your Duty: According to CPSM standards, you are responsible for the accuracy of your documentation, regardless of whether it is first drafted by you, an AI scribe, or a human assistant. 

• Take a sec to double check chart notes, especially when they are first drafted by an AI Scribe or by a learner or assistant. 
• Our Annual Physician Survey this year found about 20% of physicians routinely use AI scribes in their practice, up significantly from 6% just two years ago. As more physicians adopt AI scribes, it is vital to maintain confidence in this helpful tool while fulfilling your duty to review and correct draft notes. 

Media coverage: Our Board Chair and Past President Nichelle Desilets was on CBC’s Up to Speed yesterday speaking about her experience with AI Scribes, and reinforcing responsibility in their use. ​“It’s important to note that these scribes are not perfect and that physicians have the responsibility to review them before finalizing them. The bottom line is that doctors are still responsible for the accuracy of the documentation that we do,” she said. 

📻 Listen to the full interview here.

Learn more: We have resources to help you, and a special rebate to support your self-learning time: 

• Check out our AI Scribe Hub to learn more about the benefits, as well as your obligations around accuracy, privacy, and patient consent. 
• Our AI Scribe Learning Rebate offers a one-time $500 rebate to recognize your time invested in learning about this new technology.