Doctor Doctor, Gimme the News...
'I gotta bad case of AI Blues'
Sorry, Dr. Jekyll, but we need to talk about your future. And it's not looking great. And in case of a 'God complex', well you are about to be usurped.
Of all the professions facing disruption from artificial intelligence, General Practitioners might be the most fascinating case study. They represent the perfect storm: an overwhelming belief in their irreplaceability combined with a skill set that's almost perfectly aligned with AI's capabilities. It's like watching a television repair person in 1995 confidently planning their retirement.
The Great Disconnect
The medical community largely believes that the human touch in general practice is irreplaceable. They're half right – the human touch is valuable. But here's the uncomfortable truth: most GP visits don't actually require it. When was the last time you went to your doctor for emotional support? (You used to get much more in the old days)
More likely, you were there because your knee makes a funny clicking sound, or you've got a rash that Google Images made you very worried about. Or perhaps you collected a number of weird symptoms that you began to imagine they might be connected.
And your much harried GP, is highly like to respond with a tone and answer that you 'not to worry' and come back if it gets worse.
Why AI Is The Solution
1. The Accessibility Crisis
Try getting a GP appointment in almost any major town or city in England. Go ahead, I'll wait. Still waiting? Exactly. Many healthcare systems globally are buckling under the pressure of aging populations and staff shortages. Meanwhile, AI is available 24/7, doesn't take lunch breaks, and never goes on vacation to Majorca.
But it's not just about convenience:
2. It's about Knowledge Management
Knowledge Management. Ah this is still my favourite comeback act from the 90's.
Let's be honest: would you rather consult a doctor who graduated medical school 20 years ago and tries to keep up with medical journals between patients, or an AI system that:
Even better: AI can handle drug contraindications, recall obscure ailments, and adapt instantly to new research. Compare that to a GP who might need a weekend course (and maybe a strong coffee) to catch up on the latest guidelines.
3. No More Dusty Medical Archives
Your GP might remember that you mentioned joint pain last visit. AI could be used to remember:
In other words: AI forms a crystal-clear map of your health, spotting patterns before you even realize they're there.
4. Pattern Recognition Supremacy
AI systems are already outperforming human doctors in:
Yes, even that weird rash that looks suspiciously like something you saw on your social media —AI can analyze it faster and more objectively than your harried local doc.
5. Continuous Monitoring = Early Detection
Thanks to wearables, smart devices, and 24/7 data collection, AI is essentially your personal health detective on high alert. While your GP might see you once a year, AI sees you every second of every day. If your resting heart rate spikes or your blood sugar suddenly changes, it catches it. Humans just can't compete with that kind of vigilance.
The Great Migration
Let's face it: younger generations are already voting with their feet. They're increasingly unwilling to spend two hours in a stuffy waiting room full of coughing people, only to be told that the doctor is running late and they'll be seen by a nurse practitioner instead.
The modern patient wants solutions, not surrogate appointments. They're turning to digital alternatives faster than you can say "the doctor will see you now."
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Those Irritating AI Disclaimers
Can we talk about those endless irritating AI medical disclaimers for a second?
"I'm not a medical professional, please consult your doctor..."
Yes, AI, we know. We're adults who can read and make informed decisions. When someone asks about appropriate dosages for common medications, they're probably self-medicating because they can't face another 10-minute rushed appointment with an overworked GP who's seen 40 patients already that day. The future of healthcare needs to balance safety with practicality – and trust that humans can handle medical information responsibly.
The Challenges?
Legal and Regulatory Hurdles
Who do you sue when AI gets it wrong? (Although, let's be honest, there are great competent GPs and ones less so ). I think AI answers have to be divided into two systems:
I can honestly admit that I have used AI a dozen times in the last two years with medical issues affecting the family. It's been invaluable. On one occasion, we had a drug prescribed that didn't match the diagnosis.
So there is no chance today that I'd visit the GP without having done the AI research already. I want to understand as much as possible prior to my visit.
Is it the GPs Job to console?
I don't think so. Reassure perhaps. But not counsel.
Perhaps we'll see the rise of "medical counsellors" who provide the human element while AI handles the diagnosis and treatment planning. And people would only be referred to experienced GPs for the more serious conditions that need further investigation and treatment.
Preventative medicine has never looked so good.
Bias in Data
AI is only as good as the data it's fed. If those datasets are incomplete or skewed, diagnoses can be off, especially for underrepresented populations. That's a reminder to keep improving the data and the diversity of training sets.
The Timeline
This isn't happening tomorrow. But it's happening faster than most GPs would like to admit. We're already seeing:
The Future of Primary Care
The GP of tomorrow might look very different:
A Word to GPs
If you're a GP reading this, don't panic. Your role will evolve, not disappear overnight. But it might be time to start thinking about how you can work alongside AI rather than compete with it. After all, the stethoscope was once considered a threatening new technology too.
What could ai-Doc look like?
Conclusion
The writing isn't just on the wall – it's in the cloud, written in perfect doctor's handwriting (because AI doesn't scribble). The question isn't whether AI will replace traditional GP roles, but when and how we'll handle the transition.
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