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AI in Primary Care

Introduction

Primary care physicians are generally optimistic about AI’s potential to make care delivery more efficient, according to new survey results released by Elation Health.

Survey Insights

Elation Health, a San Francisco-based company providing EHR for primary care providers, conducted a survey with 156 primary care clinicians. The results revealed that most clinicians believe AI can significantly reduce their administrative workload.

Challenges in Primary Care

Phill Tornroth, Elation’s vice president of engineering and AI innovation lead, noted that current technologies are often not designed for primary care providers, leading to inefficient workflows. He emphasized that the key to primary care success lies in the physician-patient relationship, something AI can never replace.

AI’s Role in Reducing Administrative Burden

AI presents a huge opportunity to remove a significant chunk of providers’ administrative burden, allowing clinicians more time with their patients. Nearly 70% of survey respondents agree that AI will be crucial for making healthcare delivery more effective and efficient in the future.

Impactful AI Technologies

Tornroth highlighted automated dictation and scribing tools as the most impactful AI technologies for primary care providers. These tools save physicians multiple hours per day and improve patient experience.

AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement

AI is most effective when integrated thoughtfully into clinicians’ workflows, serving as a helpful assistant rather than an extra layer of technology. Tornroth believes AI will augment clinicians’ work, not replace them, thereby strengthening physicians and giving them more power when used effectively.

Source: metamorworks, Getty Images