2.E. Round table: AI in primary care: empowering tomorrow's workforce

Abstract Introduction Health systems face escalating demands from growing population needs amidst workforce shortages of 1.2 million doctors, nurses and midwives. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal tool in transforming primary care. By aiding in clinical decision-making, automating routine tasks, and predicting patient needs, AI can bolster the efforts of health professionals and enhance patient outcomes. This workshop seeks to examine AI applications within primary care and explore their implications for healthcare providers, focusing on their integration strategies and addressing their impact on the skills of health professionals. Particular emphasis will be placed on AI applications managing non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, which represent significant health burdens. Methods The workshop will feature concise pitch presentations by leading AI experts and healthcare practitioners from across Europe, highlighting AI technologies and their potential applications in primary care, with a focus on managing non-communicable diseases. These presentations and the following engaging panel discussion will showcase successful AI implementations, their practical applications in primary care settings and expected benefits for patient outcomes. The discussion will also consider the skills that healthcare professionals will need as AI becomes more integrated into their work, discussing strategies for continuous education and training to adapt to these technological advancements. In an interactive format, attendees will propose questions and identify valuable AI integration areas, with audience input guiding the discussion and encouraging a critical examination of AI's role in primary care. This will be done through live questions, voting on dilemmas, submitting real-life cases or proposing “what if” scenarios. Discussion and Conclusions This workshop will provide participants with insights into AI's transformative potential in primary care, particularly for managing non-communicable diseases. Attendees will gain insights from practitioners who have successfully integrated AI solutions, understanding the benefits and practical strategies for AI implementation, focusing on a human-centered approach and responsible innovation. With continuous education and training emphasised, participants will be equipped with knowledge to leverage AI effectively, enhancing workforce efficiency. By integrating diverse European experiences, the workshop will enrich the discussion, providing a comprehensive understanding and actionable strategies for AI integration in primary care systems. By facilitating a broader adoption of AI technologies, healthcare professionals can help transform care delivery, ensuring that primary care systems are resilient, efficient, and equipped to meet the needs of future patient populations such as the high burden of non-communicable diseases. Key messages • AI empowers primary care through task automation, risk prediction and decision support in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, crucial for managing growing patient needs and workforce challenges. • Emerging AI applications can provide key insights on the required skills development needs and integration strategies of AI in primary care to address non-communicable diseases. Speakers/Panellists Tino Marti Department of Health. Government of Catalonia, Barcelon, Spain Artin Entezarjou Tandem Health, Stockholm, Sweden Gregor Stiglic University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia Eric Sutherland OECD, Paris, France Federicaa Margheri European Health Management Association, Brussels, Belgium