AI: AI-Scribes: Why you should refuse to let your doctor record you

[Debra Turnbull]

A PAN colleague sent this article: Why you should refuse to let your doctor record you, by Emily M Bender and Decca Muldowney (accessed May 14,2026). Though this is a reflection around the American healthcare system (mention of Kaiser - which I assume is Kaiser Permanente: a US Health Insurance co.), the points made also apply to Canada's healthcare system.

AI Scribes are being deployed in doctor's offices and clinics up here too. You will be asked to consent to the use of an AI Scribe. You can say: "no". You have the right to say: "no" and not have it impact your care. If you are concerned about this - ask your doctor: "How will this impact my care?" Pay attention to the answer.

Things to know about AI-Scribes
These things are voice-recording your conversation. There is a microphone somewhere (in a laptop or phone). From the recording it will produce a transcript - text of the conversation. Some AI-Scribes stop there. It will be up to your doctor to review the transcript for errors (yes, these things are known to generate errors), and correct, copy & paste text into your electronic medical record (or chart). It is up to your doctor to delete the transcript and voice-recording.

Other AI-Scribes go beyond producing a transcript. Some automatically enter the text into your chart - including the errors. Some will fill out forms and email them. All without the oversight of the doctors or admin assistants. This is troubling. There has already been a report to a Privacy Commissioner on a breach due to an AI-Scribe.

The nine points raised in the article are items that apply to the Canadian healthcare system as well.