Clinical notes and AI scribes
What is the difference between an AI scribe and dictation software?
Dictation software transcribes what you say into text — you still compose the note. An AI scribe listens to the whole consultation and drafts a structured clinical note from it, which the practitioner then reviews, corrects and signs. Dictation replaces typing; a scribe replaces composing.
Written by the HeroMed team · Last reviewed 7 September 2026
Side by side
| Dictation | AI scribe | |
|---|---|---|
| What you do | Speak the note you have already composed | Have the consultation |
| Output | Text, in the order you said it | A structured note in your discipline''s format |
| Patient present | Usually after the consultation | During, with consent |
| Consent to record | Not usually required | Required |
| Your job afterwards | Proofread | Review, correct and sign |
Which one suits you
- Dictation suits clinicians who already have a fluent note structure in their head and just want to stop typing.
- A scribe suits clinicians whose documentation backlog is the problem, or who work in high-volume, high-note disciplines.
Some practices use both — a scribe for consultations, dictation for letters and reports.
More: our AI Scribe page.