December Session: AAFP's AI Initiative - How and Why We Partnered with Rock Health (Digital Health Accelerator)-AAFP's AI Initiative - How and Why We Partnered with Rock Health (Digital Health Accelerator)

AAFP's AI Initiative - How and Why We Partnered with Rock Health (Digital Health Accelerator)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The CMSS AI and ML Task Force webinar, led by Steven Waldron, CMIO of AAFP, highlighted the collaborative efforts between AAFP and Rock Health to navigate AI's impact on primary care. Since 2019, AAFP has developed ethical AI policies and engaged clinicians to ensure AI solutions address genuine clinical and administrative challenges, rather than reinforcing existing system flaws. The initiative involved a leadership committee combining family physicians and AI tech experts, aiming to reduce administrative burden, enhance clinical care, and foster education and innovation in AI use.<br /><br />A key deliverable was surveying 1,200 primary care clinicians, revealing gaps in AI education and clinicians’ limited influence over AI tool adoption. The group created freely accessible CME focused on AI use cases and hosted the Starfield Summit, honoring Dr. Barbara Starfield’s principles on primary care’s core values. A resulting white paper outlined a vision and roadmap emphasizing personalized, team-based care enabled by trustworthy AI.<br /><br />The AAFP plans a Primary Care Innovation Network to connect physicians and AI leaders, supporting research, education, and ethical tech development. Waldron emphasized the importance of clinician input in shaping AI to avoid fragmented care and maximize true value for patients. The discussion addressed AI’s role in policy, guideline development, and administrative support, underscoring ongoing efforts to partner with innovators while advocating for sustainable, effective AI integration in healthcare.

Keywords

CMSS AI and ML Task Force

Steven Waldron

AAFP

Rock Health

ethical AI policies

primary care clinicians

AI education gaps

Starfield Summit

Primary Care Innovation Network