Redesigning Primary Care: The Emergence of Artificial-Intelligence-Driven Symptom Diagnostic Tools

Abstract

Modern healthcare is facing a juxtaposition of increasing patient demands owing to an aging population and a decreasing general practitioner workforce, leading to strained access to primary care. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has emphasized the potential for alternative consultation methods, highlighting opportunities to minimize unnecessary care. This article discusses the role of artificial-intelligence-driven symptom checkers, particularly their efficiency, utility, and challenges in primary care. Based on a study conducted in Italian general practices, insights from both physicians and patients were gathered regarding this emergent technology, highlighting differences in perceived utility, user satisfaction, and potential challenges. While symptom checkers are seen as potential tools for addressing healthcare challenges, concerns regarding their accuracy and the potential for misdiagnosis persist. Patients generally viewed them positively, valuing their ease of use and the empowerment they provide in managing health. However, some general practitioners perceive these tools as challenges to their expertise. This article proposes that artificial-intelligence-based symptom checkers can optimize medical-history taking for the benefit of both general practitioners and patients, with potential enhancements in complex diagnostic tasks rather than routine diagnoses. It underscores the importance of carefully integrating digital innovations while preserving the essential human touch in healthcare. Symptom checkers offer promising solutions; ensuring their accuracy, reliability, and effective integration into primary care requires rigorous research, clinical guidance, and an understanding of varied user perceptions. Collaboration among technologists, clinicians, and patients is paramount for the successful evolution of digital tools in healthcare.

Joint Expedition: Exploring the Intersection of Digital Health and AI in Precision Medicine with Team Integration

“…This Special Issue has successfully achieved a significant milestone, featuring 20 contributions (Co)s (excluding this editorial) [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…The published papers (see Figure 1), according to the selected categories, encompass 1 introductory editorial [9], 7 full scientific articles [10][11][12][13][14][15][16], 5 reviews [17][18][19][20][21], 2 systematic reviews [22,23], 4 perspectives [24][25][26][27], and 1 opinion article [28].…”

“…Wiedermann et al [28] present an opinion delving into the role of artificial intelligencedriven symptom checkers in addressing the challenges faced by modern healthcare, particularly in the context of an aging population and a decreasing general practitioner workforce. Drawing insights from a study in Italian general practices, the article explores the perspectives of both physicians and patients regarding the efficiency, utility, and challenges of symptom checkers.…”

“…Twenty distinct contributions [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] weave through the intricate fields of the health domain focused on the integration of digital health and AI with precision medicine. These studies, spanning diverse medical domains, collectively leverage several AI and digital health approaches to precision medicine.…”

“…Shifting to perspectives [24][25][26][27] and opinions [28], these contributions offer forwardlooking insights from various angles, accentuating the dynamic landscape of digital health and AI in precision medicine. By opening up future possibilities, they significantly con-tribute to our understanding of potential directions and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field.…”