Dr Conor O’Shea
GPIT group, Irish College of GPs
Artificial intelligence can transform Irish general practice, from easing admin workloads to supporting diagnosis and prevention, but success will depend on trust, safety and human connection.
AI seems to be everywhere and is already changing how we live. The provision of healthcare is no exception, and for Irish GPs and patients, AI will soon become an everyday partner in the consulting room.
Focus shift from paperwork to patients
The first wave of AI tools will try to reduce administrative burden. GPs lose many hours each week summarising patient records, typing consultation notes and managing hospital correspondence. AI tools, which are starting to be used with GP software, can allow spoken consultations to be transcribed, clinical notes to be created and patient charts to be summarised. Used carefully, these tools could return precious hours to patient care.
Chatbots or virtual health assistants could manage appointment bookings, answer routine questions or even provide lifestyle advice, freeing staff for more personal interactions.
Enhancing clinical decisions
It is likely that in time, AI will be used to enhance clinical decision-making. In the background, there could be a ‘digital assistant’ that reviews symptoms, test results and medical history to highlight possible diagnoses or drug interactions. These AI tools will not make decisions but will help a GP in delivering high-quality care.
Combined with wearables and remote monitoring devices, AI can help GPs keep a virtual eye on patients with chronic conditions, spotting changes before they become emergencies. Indeed, AI may soon help identify patients at higher risk of chronic diseases before they occur, enabling earlier, targeted prevention.
With innovation comes responsibility
AI must be transparent, safe and rigorously tested.It must support rather than replace clinical judgement and protect patient privacy at every step. Training, governance and, critically, public trust are as essential as the technology itself.
General practice thrives on continuity and relationships. If handled wisely, AI could help restore what many doctors and patients feel is being lost, that genuine human connection with time to listen, think and care. For Irish GPs and patients, that could make AI not a threat, but a friend.
