CME | AI as a Partner in Whole-Person Care: Empowering Clinicians, Enhancing Workflows

In this episode of CME On the Go, our hosts explore artificial intelligence as a partner in whole-person care and examine how family physicians can thoughtfully incorporate AI into clinical practice without losing the human judgment and relationships at the heart of family medicine.

They break down what today's AI tools can – and cannot – do, including the differences between traditional artificial intelligence, large language models and the still-theoretical concept of artificial general intelligence. The conversation addresses common concerns surrounding AI, including hallucinations, bias, privacy, environmental impact, workforce disruption and health equity. Throughout the discussion, the hosts emphasize a "trust but verify" approach and the importance of keeping physicians in the decision-making loop rather than treating AI-generated information as a final clinical answer.

The hosts also examine current clinical applications of AI, with particular attention to ambient documentation tools and their potential to reduce documentation burden. They discuss how family physicians can evaluate new technology by considering whether it improves workflow, integrates with existing systems, protects patient information, provides sufficient transparency and actually solves a problem clinicians experience. The conversation also explores the importance of accountability, explainability and recognizing how inaccurate or poorly implemented alerts and recommendations can contribute to clinician burden rather than reduce it.

Finally, the hosts look at how family physicians can help shape the future of AI in health care. They offer practical guidance for selecting and implementing tools, working with clinical informatics and IT teams, providing feedback to technology developers and using more specific prompts to improve AI-generated results. They emphasize that successful AI adoption depends not simply on technological capability or accuracy, but on thoughtful implementation, organizational culture and meaningful clinician involvement. Above all, they encourage family physicians to develop AI literacy, maintain healthy skepticism and ensure that human judgment remains central to patient care.

Learning objectives

1. Evaluate the capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI-driven tools in supporting decision-making, patient safety, and whole-person care within Family Medicine practice.

1. Explore the use of AI-enabled documentation and workflow optimization tools to reduce administrative burden, enhance efficiency, and strengthen communication across the care team.

1. Develop a strategic plan for implementing AI technologies that uphold data privacy, minimize bias, and promote human-centered, ethical use in healthcare settings.

The AAFP has reviewed CME On the Go, Season 3 and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit(s). Term of Approval is from 08/20/2026 to 07/06/2028. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This session, "CME | Beyond the Hype: Using AI as a Partner in Whole-Person Care," is approved for 0.50 credits Enduring Materials, Self-Study, AAFP Prescribed credit(s).

The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of Family Physicians designates this Enduring Materials activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

After listening to the podcast episode, claim 0.5 AAFP credit by following the provided link.

https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/20856/e

Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, conflicts are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity. All individuals in a position to control content for this session have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.