Steven E. Waldren MD

We’ve been talking a lot about AI and primary care—how it works, where it works best, and how it will ultimately help patients and physicians. Primary care has always been, and must continue to be, the most human part of health care so how we incorporate the capabilities of AI must align with the human function of care. I write more about this in a new commentary for @medpagetoday. “If we get this right, AI could help stabilize the workforce, reduce administrative overload and make primary care more accessible to the millions of Americans who need it. Most importantly, it could give physicians back the one resource they’ve been losing for decades: time with their patients. And in primary care, time is everything. It’s the difference between catching a condition early and missing it entirely. Between a rushed checklist and a conversation that uncovers what matters most to a patient. Between a clinician who’s burned out and one who’s fully present.” With AI as a thoughtfully implemented partner, we can keep it that way, while making it stronger than ever. medpagetoday.com/opinion/sec…

AI is poised to reshape primary care, the critical question is how it will do so. In 2024, the American Academy of Family Physicians and Rock Health brought together primary care physicians and technology leaders to chart a path toward patient-centered, provider-led and sustainable application of AI in primary care. The findings and recommendations of our collaboration are now available in a new report - "The Starfield Signal: A Shared Vision and Roadmap for AI in Primary Care." You can read the report at the link below. aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/…

A new study from the @aafp and @Rock_Health reveals that family physicians and primary care clinicians are increasingly open to adopting AI and digital health tools—but concerns remain. A few key insights from the report: + Nearly 40% of family physicians and other primary care clinicians report experiencing burnout. + Seventy percent of family physicians and other primary care physicians believe AI will improve clinician wellbeing. + Clinicians are embracing AI in their personal lives—62% have experimented with generative AI outside of work, through consumer applications like virtual assistants + Over 80% of family physicians and other primary care clinicians said they would like more training to use AI. The takeaway? Family physicians see AI's potential to reduce administrative burdens and improve patient care—but trust, usability and clinical support are crucial for meaningful adoption. As my colleague Steven Waldren puts it: "AI should serve as a support tool—not a substitute—for a well-trained physician." This research underscores the importance of collaboration between health care leaders and technology innovators to ensure AI complements, rather than complicates, clinical practice. Read the press release here: aafp.org/news/media-center/r… Read the full summary here: rockhealth.com/insights/ai-i…

Earlier this week Rep. @LloydSmuckerPA , along with a bipartisan group of co-sponsors (Reps. Crenshaw, Tenney, Schneider, Panetta and Schrier) introduced the Primary Care Enhancement Act. This legislation seeks to expand access to family medicine/primary care by permitting individuals to use their health savings accounts to support a continuous relationship with a direct primary care physician. The @aafp has supported this legislation since it was first introduced in 2015 and we look forward to securing its enactment into law in the 119th Congress.

The @aafp and our partners are excited to share that we will host the 2025 Direct Primary Care Summit July 24-27, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Learn from the best faculty and network with your colleagues and friends in one the best cities. dpcsummit.org/home.html?utm_…

I have been disturbed by comments made in the past 24 hours regarding the fact that White House physician is an osteopathic physician (DO). The @AAFP strongly supports our DO members and their contributions to our health care system -- a thread.