Centro de Salud. Photo by Comunidad de Madrid Website.
In a move that blends cutting-edge technology with everyday healthcare, the Community of Madrid has unveiled plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) in primary care consultations and it could be a game-changer for both patients and professionals.
Set to launch in 2026, this innovative system will use AI to transcribe real-time conversations between patients and doctors, automatically extracting relevant medical information and adding it to the patient’s digital health record.
A New Era for Primary Care
Announced by the regional government this week, the AI tool is part of the Digital Transformation Plan for Primary Care, backed by European Next Generation EU recovery funds. With a total investment of €1.8 million, the project is currently in the tendering phase and is expected to be awarded this summer.
Its main goal? Free up doctors and nurses from the growing administrative burden that many health systems face today.
Currently, health professionals in Spain spend a significant portion of their day filling out forms, writing reports, and updating medical records, often while patients wait. According to regional estimates, this new system could reduce administrative tasks by up to 70%, allowing GPs to focus more on patient interaction and less on data entry.
How Does It Work?
The AI-powered system will listen in during primary care consultations. Think of it like a super-smart secretary that never forgets a detail. It will transcribe the conversation in real time, filter out small talk, and identify only the medically relevant information to be included in the patient’s clinical file.
At the end of the consultation, it will generate a structured report that doctors can review and use for follow-up care or referrals.
Importantly, to protect patient privacy, the audio will not be recorded or stored, and the AI will not have access to any external clinical data. The report it generates will contain only what’s necessary to update the patient’s record, according to Madrid’s Department of Digitalisation.
A Win for Healthcare Staff and Patients
For healthcare professionals, this could be a welcome change. Many GPs report feeling overwhelmed by the administrative side of medicine, especially in busy urban centres like Madrid. By streamlining documentation, the AI tool is expected to make consultations more efficient.
Patients stand to benefit too, not just from shorter wait times, but also from better-quality care. With doctors spending less time on paperwork, they’ll be able to focus more on listening, diagnosing, and treating.
Over 6.7 million residents use Madrid’s public primary care system, so the ripple effects of this shift could be significant.
Spain’s Healthcare Goes Digital
Spain has been steadily moving towards digitising its healthcare infrastructure, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for more agile and tech-savvy systems. From e-prescriptions to virtual consultations, many regions have taken steps forward but this AI transcription system is one of the boldest moves yet.
The project is a joint initiative between the Regional Ministries of Health and Digitalisation, reflecting a broader strategy to modernise public services while keeping patient wellbeing at the heart of innovation.
Looking Ahead
While 2026 might feel far away, the groundwork is already being laid. Once implemented, Madrid could become a national and even European leader in AI-driven public healthcare.
So next time you’re in a GP’s office in Madrid and your doctor seems unusually focused on you, don’t be surprised. There might just be a silent AI working in the background, helping them do what they do best: care.
