Danish GPs See Promise in AI Voice-to-Text Notes, With Conditions

General practitioners in Denmark are cautiously optimistic that artificial intelligence-powered voice-to-text technology could ease the growing administrative burden of clinical documentation, but only if the tools prove reliable, integrate smoothly into existing workflows, and safeguard patient data. That is the central conclusion of a qualitative study published in BMC Primary Care, in which researchers explored how GPs perceive the utility of such technology during video consultations.

Clinical documentation is essential for maintaining continuity and quality of care, yet the study’s authors note it has become increasingly time-consuming and complex in general practice, contributing to administrative overload and burnout. AI voice-to-text tools, known as AIVT, have emerged as potential solutions by automatically transcribing and organizing consultations into draft clinical notes.

To examine perceptions of this technology, the research team combined three methods: observations, think-aloud sessions, and semi-structured interviews. Eighteen general practitioners from 14 clinics across all five Danish regions tested Autonotar, a use case for an AIVT tool that generates draft clinical notes during video consultations. The data were analyzed deductively against predefined criteria covering demand, acceptability, and perceived future efficacy.

The findings point to structural drivers of demand.

Acceptability, however, came with clear conditions. The GPs emphasized the importance of clinical accuracy, alignment with their existing workflows, and robust data protection.

Despite these caveats, participants saw substantial potential future value. They viewed AIVT as a way to reduce administrative workload, improve work-life balance, and enhance patient engagement, provided the tool delivers reliable output and is responsibly integrated into clinical systems. The prospect of spending less time on notes and more attention on patients emerged as a key motivator.

The authors conclude that, based on the study use case, AIVT may offer a practical means of supporting clinical documentation in Danish general practice, but its utility is conditional rather than inherent. Adoption will depend on reliable output, workflow integration, clear accountability, robust data protection, and adaptation to different consultation modalities.

Sustainable implementation, the study adds, requires both technological maturity and sociotechnical alignment among clinicians, decision-makers, and technology providers. As a qualitative study of 18 GPs testing a single tool use case, the research captures perceptions rather than measured effects on documentation time or care quality, and the findings will need to be complemented by further evaluation as these technologies mature.

Subject of Research: General practitioners' perceptions of AI voice-to-text technology for clinical documentation in Danish general practice

Article Title: Exploring general practitioners’ perceptions of the utility of AI-powered voice-to-text technology for clinical documentation during video consultations in Danish general practice: a qualitative study

Article References: Jørgensen, N. L., Andersen, M. R. F., Merrild, C. H., Moeslund, T. B., Kidholm, K., & Thomsen, J. L. (2026). Exploring general practitioners’ perceptions of the utility of AI-powered voice-to-text technology for clinical documentation during video consultations in Danish general practice: a qualitative study. BMC Primary Care. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-026-03610-0

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12875-026-03610-0

Keywords: artificial intelligence, voice-to-text, clinical documentation, general practice, primary care, video consultations, Denmark, qualitative study, administrative burden, physician burnout, health technology, workflow integration