The use of ambient voice technology (AVT) for clinician–patient consultations in healthcare practice: A rapid systematic scoping review

Objective Using ambient voice technology (AVT) to transcribe and summarise clinician–patient consultations in real time is increasing in healthcare practice, with the aim of reducing clinical documentation burden. However, the evidence base remains underdeveloped. This review synthesised current evidence on the use and impact of AVT for documenting clinician–patient consultations in healthcare. We also examined how impact has been evaluated and measured with the aim of informing future research and assessment in real-world practice. Methods We conducted a rapid systematic scoping review (PROSPERO: CRD420251155579). Four databases and grey literature sources were searched in September 2025. Of 598 articles screened, 21 met the inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated user experiences with AVT (n = 13), quantified impacts using objective numerical data (n = 19) and perceived impacts based on self-reported experiences (n = 17). Results Evidence on the real-world impact of AVT remains limited. While some studies report reduced documentation burden and improvements in staff well-being and perceived care quality, these findings largely stem from short-term observational designs and self-reported measures. Evidence relating to wider, system-level impacts such as pathway productivity, patient safety and cost effectiveness is sparse. Approaches to evaluating AVT were heterogeneous and inconsistent, particularly when reporting on system-level impacts beyond the clinician–patient consultation. Different factors (e.g., workflow integration, output quality), the consultation context and clinical setting influenced experiences of using AVT. Conclusions Current evidence does not yet support widespread adoption of AVT in clinical practice. Although early findings suggest potentially important benefits, available studies are heterogeneous, predominantly short-term and methodologically limited. It remains unclear whether the improvements reported to date translate into sustained gains in clinical capacity, care quality or system efficiency. Longer-term evaluations using standardised outcome measures complemented by qualitative methods, are needed to determine the impact and value of AVT in healthcare. PROSPERO registration number CRD420251155579.