In a bid to tackle the critical shortage of primary care doctors, Mass General Brigham (MGB) has rolled out an innovative solution: an artificial intelligence-powered app called “Care Connect”. Launched on September 9, the platform is now available to the system’s 15,000 patients without a primary care physician.
Here’s how it works: the 24/7 chatbot interviews patients, reviews their medical records, and generates a list of potential diagnoses. It then arranges a telehealth appointment with a physician in as little as 30 minutes. MGB is one of the first healthcare systems in the country to introduce such an AI-driven solution.
However, not everyone is thrilled about this AI initiative. Several primary care doctors at MGB have expressed concerns. They argue that while AI is a useful tool, it’s not the main solution to the shortage. They believe that addressing the root cause—providing competitive pay and better working conditions—will attract and retain more primary care physicians in the state’s largest health system.
So, is AI the answer to the primary care doc shortage, or just a temporary fix? The debate continues as MGB’s AI app rolls out. Stay tuned for more updates!
