The Lancet Voice

Can an algorithm decide who sees a doctor first — and what happens when it gets the call wrong? The NHS is rolling out AI triage tools and ambient scribes across general practice, promising to shorten waiting lists and free up clinician time. In this episode of The Lancet Voice, host Niall Boyce and Chloe Wilson, senior editor at The Lancet, cast a questioning eye over the initiative. Chloe raises concerns about AI triage — including the risk of downgrading seemingly innocuous but important symptoms — and questions whether AI in health care is adding efficiency, or simply cutting costs. The hosts also examine ambient scribes in the consulting room, discussing how AI scribes may change clinical practice, or even deskill physicians. The issue isn't whether AI can help the NHS — it's whether we're asking it to do the right things, and if we are implementing it in the right way. Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The Lancet Voice is part of the Lancet Group podcast offering.  Editorial team: Niall Boyce, Miriam Sabin, Jessamy Bagenal, Richard Horton, and Gavin Cleaver Podcast editing: Matteo Simonetti Visit https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia to learn more about our multimedia offering.  Find the best science for better lives at thelancet.com Follow us today at... https://thelancet.bsky.social/ https://instagram.com/thelancetgroup https://facebook.com/thelancetmedicaljournal https://linkedIn.com/company/the-lancet https://youtube.com/thelancettv

Retracted articles hit a high of 10,000 in 2023, representing an increase of almost ten times in ten years. The introduction of AI brings incredible benefits to science, but could also add to the seemingly endless tide of papers that are fraudulent, misleading, or just plain wrong. What can journals such as The Lancet do to rise to this challenge, keeping the scientific record accurate, honest, and transparent? Editors Niall Boyce and Sabine Kleinert are joined by Professor Lex Bouter from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Professor Mai Har Sham of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to discuss a new Lancet Commission. Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01528-4/fulltext The Lancet Voice is part of the Lancet Group podcast offering.  Editorial team: Niall Boyce, Miriam Sabin, Jessamy Bagenal, Richard Horton, and Gavin Cleaver Podcast editing: Matteo Simonetti Visit https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia to learn more about our multimedia offering.  Find the best science for better lives at thelancet.com Follow us today at... https://thelancet.bsky.social/ https://instagram.com/thelancetgroup https://facebook.com/thelancetmedicaljournal https://linkedIn.com/company/the-lancet https://youtube.com/thelancettv

Bioethics are a matter of practical, everyday concern for physicians, and other health care providers, especially as medical science continues to advance, opening up new therapeutic possibilities. In this episode of The Lancet Voice, the bioethicist and oncologist, Ezekiel Emanuel, talks about applying bioethics to some of today's most pressing health problems, globally.   Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/piis0140-6736(09)60137-9/fulltext The Lancet Voice is part of the Lancet Group podcast offering.  Editorial team: Niall Boyce, Miriam Sabin, Jessamy Bagenal, Richard Horton, and Gavin Cleaver Podcast editing: Matteo Simonetti Visit https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia to learn more about our multimedia offering.  Find the best science for better lives at thelancet.com Follow us today at... https://thelancet.bsky.social/ https://instagram.com/thelancetgroup https://facebook.com/thelancetmedicaljournal https://linkedIn.com/company/the-lancet https://youtube.com/thelancettv

Manchuria, 1910. An outbreak of a mysterious illness has claimed tens of thousands of lives. But one doctor has a plan to stop it. Niall and Miriam are joined by Dr Yvonne Ho to discuss the life and legacy of Dr Wu Lien-Teh, and the continuing importance of his story in today's world. The Lancet Voice is part of the Lancet Group podcast offering.  Editorial team: Niall Boyce, Miriam Sabin, Jessamy Bagenal, Richard Horton, and Gavin Cleaver Podcast editing: Matteo Simonetti Visit https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia to learn more about our multimedia offering.  Find the best science for better lives at thelancet.com Follow us today at... https://thelancet.bsky.social/ https://instagram.com/thelancetgroup https://facebook.com/thelancetmedicaljournal https://linkedIn.com/company/the-lancet https://youtube.com/thelancettv