The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown potential to reduce the workload burden on clinicians across various professions and settings. However, little research has been conducted on the applicability of AI tools among general practitioners (GPs), particularly in relation to their potential to reduce or facilitate their workload. The PRIMA-AI project aims to analyze AI tool applicability for primary healthcare and assess if and how GPs in Germany use AI tools to improve their administrative and clinical workflow. Furthermore, we aim to bring GPs and AI experts together to discuss their respective needs and requirements, with a focus on prioritizing GP needs, in order to improve the development and uptake of innovative technologies. First, interviews with AI experts will identify use cases, tool regulations, and the potential for applying AI in primary healthcare and administrative workflows. Second, a survey will be conducted among all GPs in Germany to evaluate the extent to which they utilize AI tools in their daily work and their attitudes towards the use of AI tools. Third, AI experts and GPs will discuss needs, possibilities, and implementation barriers in three online focus groups. By bringing together technology AI experts and GPs, we expect to gain deeper insights into the GPs’ needs and motivations for using AI in healthcare and administrative workflows.

Duration:
01 November 2025 - 28 February 2027

Research Team:
Karsten Engelke

Funding:
Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen
Volume: 38.000,00€

Coordination:
Dr. Public Health Laura Maaß (1)

Background

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools into primary healthcare holds promise for enhancing patient care and reducing workload. However, the adoption of AI remains inconsistent with mismatches between the envisioned use of AI tools and current practice. Trust has been identified as a significant catalyst for adoption. However, its implementation is hindered by several barriers, including data security and ethical considerations. Additionally, the introduction of the European Union’s AI Act imposes rigorous requirements on high-risk AI systems, including those used in healthcare. These regulatory measures may contribute to apprehension among physicians and AI developers. Furthermore, little is known about the perceptions of general practitioners (GPs) regarding the use of AI to reduce administrative burdens and streamline healthcare workflows in primary healthcare.

 

Objectives and research questions

The PRIMA-AI project aims to address the following research questions clustered across three work packages (WP):

 

WP1: Perspectives from experts on the role of AI development and regulation in primary healthcare: AI-Expert interviews

1. What are the main opportunities and challenges AI experts encounter when designing tools for primary healthcare in Germany?
2. How does the EU AI Act shape the development and implementation of AI applications in primary healthcare?

 

WP2: Current applications and obstacles to AI adoption by GPs in primary healthcare: Survey among all currently practicing GPs in Germany

1. To what extent are AI-based tools currently being utilized by GPs, and which types of AI applications are most commonly used in primary healthcare in Germany?
2. What factors influence GPs’ decisions to adopt or reject AI tools in their daily work?

 

WP3: Understanding the impact, effectiveness, and future of AI in primary healthcare: Focus groups with AI experts and GPs

1. How do GPs and AI experts assess the usefulness and risks of AI in clinical and administrative settings?
2. What roles do GPs and AI experts envision for AI in the future of primary healthcare, and what support is needed to realize this vision?

 

Methods

In WP1, we will conduct online interviews with AI experts from Germany (including experts from academia and industry). Hereby, we will gain insights into what is currently possible from a technical perspective and where AI experts perceive barriers (regulatory, social, technical, etc.), as well as the potential to reduce GPs’ workload and improve patient healthcare.

For WP2, we will conduct an online survey with all currently practicing GPs in Germany to assess their use and motivation to (not) use AI tools as part of their work. All GPs will be contacted via email and invited to join the study through the newsletters of the Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen (KV), the Hausärztinnen und Hausärzt:innen Bundesverband, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für künstliche Intelligenz in der Medizin.

For WP3, we will invite the GPs who participated in the survey and the AI experts to an online focus group discussion where we will bring together both perspectives for a needs assessment of future directions for AI in primary healthcare.

 

Expected results

The results of the PRIMA-AI project will provide insights into the implementation of AI tools in primary healthcare, revealing the current extent of their use, identifying the most common and potential areas of application for future AI tool use, and highlighting barriers to their adoption. The project will also provide insights into how GPs and AI experts perceive the risks and benefits of AI. Bringing together both perspectives will enable more needs-based development and informed implementation strategies for future AI tools, thereby alleviating the burden on primary care. This comprehensive understanding will enable the development of targeted governance strategies to effectively and sustainably enhance the integration of AI in primary care.

 

Duration

1. November 2025 – 28. February 2027

 

Research team

Dr Laura Maaß, University of Bremen, SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy (project lead)

PD Dr Sarah Forberger, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS

Dr Max Westphal, Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS

PD Dr Guido Schmiemann, University of Bremen, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP)

Prof Dr Anke Reinschlüssel, University of Bayreuth, Mobile Computing & Telemedicine

Katharina Förster, BA Public Health (student assistant)

 

Project type

Seed-Money Project funded by the Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen 

Duration:
01 November 2025 - 28 February 2027

Research Team:
Karsten Engelke

Funding:
Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen
Volume: 38.000,00€

Project Type:
Third-party funded project

Coordination:
Dr. Public Health Laura Maaß (1)