Using Artificial Intelligence Responsibly in General Practice

Artificial Intelligence (or, AI) has taken over the media by storm and is forecast to integrate even more into our lives following its growing global usage. According to a Forbes Advisor poll, 79% of it’s respondents have used generative AI to help them at work (1), this was in 2024 alone and does not account for it’s scaling since. For those working in primary care, AI can provide many benefits, however, should be adopted with caution due to the wider social responsibility of primary care and nature of work. This article will explore how General Practice’s can benefit from AI, whilst using it responsibly to ensure they meet best practices in care.

Defining Artificial Intelligence

In the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) considers “AI” as an umbrella term for “or a range of algorithm-based technologies that solve complex tasks by carrying out functions that previously required human thinking. Decisions made using AI are either fully automated, or with a ‘human in the loop’” (2).

AI can be representative of an agent, tool, model or system where technology has relied on human input to create a self-thinking result.

This also means that regardless of output from an AI model or agent, accountability for its decision-making power may fall on the organisation or person utilising it.

Forms of Artificial Intelligence in General Practice

The use of AI can vary from sector to sector and has only recently begun to integrate itself into the world of primary care. Tools which General Practices have benefited from so far include:

Triage and Appointment Demand

Often intended to assist with the sheer volume of phone calls general practices receive so that patients can be seen more efficiently.

Note Recording

For both appointments and admin, busy General Practitioners are looking to reduce time and paperwork when delivering clinical notes or referral letters.

Translation and Interpreting Services

Offering as a relief for people who speak little or no English so that practitioners can meet local needs.

Clinical Decisions

Innovative AI systems can now support clinical decision making, which can raise drug use or possible diagnosis and suggest prompts based on recent guidance.

Primary Care conferences, such as Best Practice, often showcase the full breadth of innovations making their way into the sector and a good starting point for Practice Managers to explore if they want to adopt them into their practice processes.

Despite using AI, your GDPR requirements providing primary care will be no different. Especially whilst these tools and innovations are still being explored, it is imperative to seek risk protection.

Risk managing Artificial Intelligence

As per NHS guidance, when adopting AI resources and tools into a General Practice, you may want to actively manage its limitations (3). Where AI can misinterpret or sometimes misunderstand context, it should never replace professional judgement and should be overseen by a clinician.

The practice’s insurance portfolio, which may include Practice Insurance, Cyber Liability Insurance and Management Liability, should reflect an increase in risks if AI tools are being used.

The practice insurance policy should meet all regulatory requirements and made bespoke, if suggested by a Specialist Insurance Adviser, as a foundation for the practice’s other policies. We offer a Legal Expenses add-on to cover legal and defence costs made against the practice.
MIAB’s Cyber Liability policy can help protect data, digital assets and reputation. Most NHS practices are considered the ‘data processor’, regardless of whether they outsource their own data processors and means that liability will fall on the practice in the event of system downtime, breaches or ransomware attacks. An active insurance policy will run security assessments to support the practice’s cyber protection initiative.
Practice managers and key-decision makers may wish to explore a Management Liability as an additional layer of protection for their day-to-day duties.

Consult a Specialist

MIAB’s Specialist Insurance Adviser’s have experience with a range of healthcare organisations and lots of different types of enquiries. If you have a query regarding the use of AI in your practice, data threats or increased cybercrime, book a consultation with one of our advisers to discuss what insurance policies may be available to you.

Receive your free quotation: https://miab.co.uk/get-a-quote/