Mass General Brigham (MGB) has launched Care Connect, an AI-driven telehealth app designed to streamline patient care amid a shortage of primary care physicians in Massachusetts. While the technology, developed in partnership with K Health, aims to enhance efficiency by generating clinical insights and facilitating virtual appointments, concerns have arisen about doctors located out of state lacking local healthcare knowledge. Critics argue that reliance on AI may distract from the pressing need to hire more primary care providers. Despite the apprehension, patients, like Rocco Giuliano, have found value in the app, alleviating issues like prescription renewals swiftly. Experts highlight that while AI enhances healthcare delivery, it can’t replace the crucial doctor-patient relationship. MGB insists that Care Connect supplements, rather than substitutes, traditional care, acknowledging the extended timeline to hire qualified physicians. This situation exemplifies ongoing challenges in healthcare recruitment and the transformative role of AI in solving them.
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