Exploring Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Primary Care

In the article, "Reflections on AI in Primary Care from the NAPCRG Trainee Committee Workshop," the authors provide insights from discussions held during the NAPCRG Trainee Committee Pre-conference Workshop facilitated by Dr. Winston Liaw and Dr. Jaky Kueper.
The authors emphasize the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding of AI among healthcare professionals and the public. I wholeheartedly agree and believe this to be the greatest barrier to realizing the full potential of AI in primary care. Despite AI's extensive current usage and its potential for significant improvements in primary care, there remains widespread public misunderstanding fueled by sensationalized media portrayals. These depictions often portray AI as automated and dehumanizing, drawing parallels to dystopian narratives like "Terminator" and "i-Robot."

Additionally, the authors state, "balancing this duality of possibilities and shortcomings of AI in primary care is particularly important for newcomers to the primary care field..." It's essential to quell fears about AI by addressing evidence of its failures and limitations, such as biased assessments or ineffective chatbot customer service interactions. Importantly, we must also stress that AI in primary care is not intended to replace the vital roles of primary care providers (PCPs) and other healthcare professionals, which is a valid concern given the growing automation of many jobs and services. Rather, it should complement their expertise and enhance the quality of care provided to patients.

The authors pose the potential for AI in assisting with operational tasks such as referrals, scheduling, information gathering, and documentation. AI has the potential to address some of the root causes of PCP burnout and shortages. However, I agree with the authors, in that achieving these improvements requires ongoing involvement and collaboration between PCPs, patients, and AI developers. Involving PCPs and patients in the design and implementation of AI interventions can ensure these technologies are ethically sound, patient-centered, and aligned with user needs. However, failure to involve PCPs and patients early on risks exacerbating distrust and concerns about the use of AI as a quick fix or to cut costs at the expense of quality care. I commend the intentional efforts being made in this direction through the NAPRCG Training Committee.

The article also emphasizes that AI holds significant potential not only in healthcare delivery but also in primary care research, highlighting opportunities for improving research processes and efficiency, particularly in streamlining the aggregation and analysis of data. As a researcher, I can attest to AI’s ability to streamline my analyses, even to develop code for complex analyses. In addition to the points made by the authors, I emphasize that AI can potentially democratize access to research opportunities for individuals or groups lacking statistical training or resources to conduct their own research. Additionally, I highlight the role of AI tools in identifying specific populations and their needs in real-time, thereby promoting equity in research and practice.

In conclusion, I commend the efforts of the NAPCRG Trainee Committee in facilitating discussions on AI and its implications for primary care. I look forward to further exploration of how AI can be harnessed to improve patient outcomes and strengthen primary care delivery.