By Lee · 6 November 2026 · 5 min read

AI for physios who aren’t tech people

A plain-English guide to starting with an AI scribe, one step at a time.

The short answer

An AI scribe is an app that listens to your consult and writes the note for you. You don’t need to set up software or learn prompts. Open it on your phone or laptop, press record, and the note appears in your usual template, ready to file to Nookal or Cliniko.

Why it matters for physios

Notes and admin are a big part of why the day runs late. Back-to-back consults leave little time to write, so notes pile up for the evening. An AI scribe moves that writing into the consult itself, so fewer notes wait for the evening.

What you need

Nothing to install. Each item below includes why it is needed.

A phone or laptop with a browser, so you can record wherever you treat.
A microphone permission, so the app can hear the consult.
Your Nookal or Cliniko API key, so notes file straight into the patient record. Your practice system’s help page shows where to find it.
A short consent line for patients, so they know what is recorded and why.

Your first week, step by step

Start small. Each step builds confidence before you use it with patients.

Day 1: Connect your practice system and choose your usual template, so notes match what your clinic already uses.
Day 2: Record a pretend consult with a colleague, so you see how the note and body chart come out.
Day 3: Use it with two or three patients who agree to recording, so you get used to the flow.
Day 4: Add short writing instructions to your template, so the style matches yours.
Day 5: Use it for a full day and note how much earlier you finish.

What it looks like in a real consult

A fictional patient says, “我右边膝盖痛了两个星期, especially going downstairs.” The note reads: “Patient reports right knee pain for two weeks, worse going downstairs.” 8 Scribe keeps what the patient said and leaves examination findings for you to add.

Asking for consent, in one sentence

Ahpra’s guidance says to get informed consent before an AI scribe records a consult. A simple line works: “I use an app that records our session to write my notes. Is that okay?” If the patient says no, write the note the usual way.

When to ask for help

If a note lands in the wrong place, a template looks off or the connection fails, contact us. Our local team helps set up templates and connections, so you are not left to work it out alone.

Common questions

Do I need to be good with technology to use an AI scribe?

No. If you can use a phone app, you can use 8 Scribe. Open it in a browser, press record and file the note in one tap.

Do I need to change my templates?

No. 8 Scribe uses your existing Nookal or Cliniko templates. You can add short writing instructions if you want a particular style.

What if a patient doesn’t want to be recorded?

Write that note the usual way. Ask for consent before each recording, as Ahpra’s guidance recommends.