AI and smarter systems help doctors reclaim time for patients – GMC

Doctors across the UK are reporting that artificial intelligence and improved digital systems are beginning to ease administrative pressures and free up more time for patient care, according to new analysis from the General Medical Council (GMC).

The findings, published in the GMC’s State of medical education and practice in the UK: Workplace experiences 2026 report, draw on responses from more than 4,600 doctors. Over a quarter said workplace improvements in the past year had helped them provide good patient care, with AI tools and upgraded patient information systems among the most frequently cited developments. Many described technology reducing time spent on paperwork and enabling more meaningful interactions with patients.

Despite these gains, the report shows that substantial pressures remain. Forty‑one per cent of doctors said they struggled at least weekly to deliver the level of care they felt patients deserved, rising to 60% among GPs. Staffing shortages, heavy workloads, administrative demands and delays in screening or treatment were identified as key barriers. Coordination between primary and secondary care also continues to be a concern, with only one in five doctors agreeing that current arrangements work well.

GMC Chief Executive Charlie Massey said technology alone cannot resolve the challenges facing the workforce but can make a “positive difference” for both doctors and patients. He urged health leaders to scale up successful local initiatives to achieve wider system‑level improvements.

The report also notes that overall doctor satisfaction declined in 2025 after two years of gradual improvement, and that early‑career doctors continue to face obstacles around progression and development. The GMC says the findings will inform its ongoing work to improve workplace conditions and support better patient outcomes.