Generative artificial intelligence for general practice; new potential ahead, but are we ready?

Abstract

Background: Generative AI (Gen AI) is frequently cited as an innovation to address the current challenges in healthcare, also for primary care. Examples include automating tasks like voice-to-notes transcription or chatbots using large language models. Additionally, it may facilitate a learning healthcare system by generating personalised learning resources and real-time literature summaries. Yet - probably with the highest expectations - Gen AI may extend diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in general practice by integrating complex, multimodal patient data for personalised care, enabling earlier disease detection, and providing real-time guidance for diagnostics, prognostics and treatments.

Method & discussion: The authors of this opinion paper recently hosted a workshop at the WONCA Europe 2024 conference. From discussions at that workshop, three priorities emerge: practice support, education support, and clinical decision-making support. In this opinion paper, we argue that GPs and academic departments of primary care should lead in evaluating Gen AI across these three priorities. Primary care research must prioritise rigorous scientific evaluations, to ensure that developed tools actually work for GPs and their patients.

Conclusion: Hereto, a coordinated effort, driven by the primary care academic community, is needed, starting with research agenda drafting. A broad, international follow-up is scheduled following this WONCA Europe 2024 workshop.

Keywords: Generative AI; clinical decision support; digital innovation.