Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools in Primary Care: The Promise of Being Smarter, Safer, and More Present

Abstract

Primary care clinicians (PCCs) are increasingly overwhelmed by the rising number of tasks, expanding patient rosters, and the ever‑growing volume of new data and studies. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has captured the attention of many clinicians for both personal and professional use. The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) AI Working Group has highlighted the growing role of AI in family medicine. These applications are emerging across prevention, decision support, and efficiency. However, most remain largely insufficiently tested in or validated for clinical practice, making careful implementation essential to maximize benefits and minimize harm. In the U.S., AI is already helping to reduce clerical burdens by drafting letters, simplifying forms, or explaining results, yet clinicians are cautioned against its unsupervised use in direct clinical decision-making due to risks such as bias and hallucination.

This article focuses on exploring the evolving AI options available to PCCs. We aim to provide a practical framework for evaluating these tools, highlight key features worth considering, and suggest strategies for effective and safer implementation.