As previously mentioned, GPs are mostly unfamiliar with a range of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and have a subsequent low level implementation rate of AI tools within general practice. At least 80% of GPs stated they were not at all familiar or not very familiar with specific AI tools. Low levels of familiarity with AI tools was even prevalent among GPs who identified as ‘innovators’ or ‘early adopters’. Natural language processing tools presented as the most familiar AI tool within general practice, with 17% of GPs rating themselves familiar with this tool (Figure 53). AI-powered clinical decision support systems were rated as the least familiar, with only 9% of GPs familiar with these tools.
Interestingly, health consumer data shows that 53% of people are comfortable with AI being used to support appointment scheduling, while 32% are comfortable with AI-assisted diagnoses.6 Seventy-six per cent of people expect a healthcare professional to validate AI recommendations when AI tools are used within a healthcare setting such as treatments and diagnoses. In addition, 30% of people believe AI will have a positive impact on the quality of care they receive.6
When this data is contrasted with GP familiarity and implementation rate of AI tools, this indicates there may be potential for more wide-spread AI advances to be made in general practice.