Exclusive: How AI is revolutionising GP workflows, patient care

General practitioner and Digital Clinical Lead at Spark Health, Karl Cole, is among a growing number of healthcare professionals embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise their daily workflows and improve patient care.

Speaking at Spark Accelerate, Cole described how AI tools are transforming clinical note-taking and reshaping the healthcare landscape.

Cole, who has been a GP for 30 years, splits his time between military service and civilian practice.

"My main clinic is in Papatoetoe, Auckland, where we run a Health Hub offering integrated services," he said.

The Health Hub hosts general practitioners, practice nurses, clinical pharmacists, and hand therapists, providing comprehensive care under one roof.

The advent of AI has proven to be a game-changer for clinicians, according to Cole. "For years, we've been bogged down by endless paperwork, writing notes, and filling forms during and after consultations," he explained. He likened the situation to the proverbial boiling frog, with doctors slowly becoming overwhelmed by administrative tasks without realising the toll it was taking on patient interaction and job satisfaction.

A Smarter Solution
Cole introduced an AI-powered dictation tool into his practice 18 months ago. The tool, which processes natural language, helps doctors record patient histories, generate referral letters, and even produce personalised instructions for patients. "It's like a very smart dictation tool," he said, "but it doesn't replace clinical decision-making. It's purely focused on documentation."

By alleviating the cognitive load of managing multiple tasks, the AI assistant has enabled Cole to focus more on his patients during consultations.

"It summarises what was said in a way that's accurate and tailored to different needs. I can produce notes for other doctors and instructions for patients from the same transcript," he said.

Feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Patients love it because they finally understand what's happening. The AI generates instructions in a way that makes sense to them," Cole added.

Ethical Considerations
Cole acknowledged the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI in consultations, particularly regarding patient consent and privacy. "We've followed guidelines from the Medical Protection Society, ensuring informed consent before using the tool," he explained.

"We display posters in the clinic and inform patients verbally. Over time, most of my long-term patients already know about it, so I only ask new patients for permission."

To maintain transparency, Cole uses a dual-screen setup, allowing patients to see the AI-generated notes in real-time.

"It's even led to some laughs when the AI gets something wrong," he said.

Widespread Adoption
AI-powered documentation tools are gaining traction in New Zealand, with approximately 1,000 GPs already using them.

Cole estimated that another tool, Heidi Health, is also widely adopted, though specific use cases and long-term data are still emerging.

"The impact has been life-changing for many GPs," he said. "Some doctors save around an hour a day by automating repetitive tasks. While it's not about seeing more patients, it's about reducing burnout and improving the quality of care."

Cole emphasised the importance of safety and proper evaluation before adopting such tools. "There's no regulatory body in New Zealand certifying these tools, so each practice has to assess their own risks and benefits," he said.

Global Trends
The use of AI in healthcare is part of a broader global trend. Cole cited the example of Kaiser Permanente, a major healthcare provider in the United States.

"They rolled out AI licenses to 3,000 doctors, and 80% were using it within a month, with no training required," he said.

Among the various tools available, Cole favours one developed by the French company Nabla.

"It's intuitive, efficient, and responsive," he said. Nabla's AI assistant charges per minute of use and has seen rapid adoption in international markets.

Enhancing Safety and Accuracy
Cole highlighted the safety benefits of AI tools, particularly in reducing errors. "When you're seeing 30 patients a day, it's easy to mix up details or forget specifics."

"This tool ensures accurate records, which is critical for continuity of care," he said.

He shared an example of how the tool corrected a potential misunderstanding in a patient's medical history.

"The AI captured that the patient's symptoms started two weeks ago, not two days ago, which could have led to a completely different clinical interpretation," he explained.

Transforming Healthcare
While the adoption of AI is not without challenges, Cole believes its potential to improve healthcare delivery outweighs the drawbacks.

"It's not just about saving time; it's about enhancing the quality and safety of the care we provide," he said.

For Cole, the benefits extend beyond efficiency. "It's a cognitive relief," he said. "We're no longer juggling multiple tasks at once, which means we can truly focus on the patient in front of us."

As AI continues to reshape the healthcare industry, Cole sees it as an essential tool for the future.

"It's about giving doctors the freedom to do what they do best—care for patients," he said.

And for those sceptical of its impact, Cole offered a simple reflection: "Once you see the difference it makes, you won't want to go back."