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Review ArticleSystematic Review

Artificial Intelligence and Primary Care Research: A Scoping Review

Jacqueline K. Kueper, Amanda L. Terry, Merrick Zwarenstein and Daniel J. Lizotte
The Annals of Family Medicine May 2020, 18 (3) 250-258; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2518
Jacqueline K. Kueper
1Departments of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Computer Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
MSc
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  • For correspondence: jkueper@uwo.ca
Amanda L. Terry
2Departments of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Family Medicine, Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
PhD
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Merrick Zwarenstein
3Departments of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Family Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
MBBCh, PhD
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Daniel J. Lizotte
4Departments of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Computer Science, Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Statistical & Actuarial Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
PhD
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    Figure 1

    PRISMA flow diagram.

    AI = artificial intelligence; PRISMA = Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

    a“Not primary care” used as exclusion criterion when multiple criteria applied.

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    Figure 2

    Overall purpose of studies.

  • Figure 3
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    Figure 3

    Primary care functions to be supported with artificial intelligence.

    aGiven combinations of functions evaluated by fewer than 5 studies. (Combinations evaluated by 5 or more studies are shown above.)

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    Figure 4

    Health conditions studied.

    COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

    Note: Includes only the 387 studies for which target condition(s) could be identified.

Tables

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    Table 1

    Appointments of Study Authors

    Author Appointment CategoryStudies, No. (%)
    (N = 405)
    Primary care and TEM27 (6.7)
    Primary care and no TEM30 (7.4)
    TEM and no primary care187 (46.2)
    Neither TEM nor primary care161 (39.8)
    • TEM = technology, engineering, and math.

    • Note: To be included in a row count, a study must have had at least 1 author with an appointment in the category or categories indicated.

Additional Files

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    Supplemental Appendixes

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    • Supplemental data: Appendixes - PDF file
  • The Article in Brief

    Artificial Intelligence and Primary Care Research: A Scoping Review

    Jacqueline K. Kueper , and colleagues

    Background Artificial intelligence methods are being utilized in radiology, cardiology and other medical specialty fields to quickly and accurately process large quantities of health data to improve the diagnostic and treatment power of health care teams. Compared to other medical specialty fields, primary care physicians deal with a very broad spectrum of illnesses, taking a person-centric approach to care, with fewer diagnostic instruments or tests available. The nature of primary care may pose unique challenges to the meaningful application of AI.

    What This Study Found A comprehensive review of 405 studies led by researchers at Western University in Ontario shows that work on AI for primary care is at an early stage of maturity. The scoping review summarizes major trends in primary care AI.

    Implications

    • "For the field to mature," the authors note, "value must be placed both on developing rigorous AI and on identifying potential impacts...on care delivery and longer-term health outcomes."
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The Annals of Family Medicine: 18 (3)
The Annals of Family Medicine: 18 (3)
Vol. 18, Issue 3
May/June 2020
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Artificial Intelligence and Primary Care Research: A Scoping Review
Jacqueline K. Kueper, Amanda L. Terry, Merrick Zwarenstein, Daniel J. Lizotte
The Annals of Family Medicine May 2020, 18 (3) 250-258; DOI: 10.1370/afm.2518

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Artificial Intelligence and Primary Care Research: A Scoping Review
Jacqueline K. Kueper, Amanda L. Terry, Merrick Zwarenstein, Daniel J. Lizotte
The Annals of Family Medicine May 2020, 18 (3) 250-258; DOI: 10.1370/afm.2518
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Subjects

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Keywords

  • artificial intelligence
  • health information technology
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  • electronic health records
  • big data
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  • primary care
  • family medicine
  • decision support
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • scoping review

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