Part of the Doc to Doc series with Dr. Daniel Dodek.
For the past year, I have been using OpenEvidence almost daily in my family medicine practice. When faced with complex clinical questions, uncertain diagnostic pathways, or multiple treatment options, this AI-powered search tool has become an invaluable resource. Questions that once required searching several references, reviewing UpToDate, or calling the RACE line can often be explored in minutes.
The benefits are undeniable. AI has helped me expand my differential diagnoses, reconsider management strategies, and challenge my own cognitive biases. At times, it has prevented tunnel vision and prompted me to think more broadly about a patient's presentation. Used thoughtfully, it has become a powerful addition to my clinical toolbox.
Yet despite these advantages, I have noticed something unexpected. I find myself feeling emotionally unsettled and, in some ways, professionally less nourished.
As I reflected on this feeling, I realized that I have been asking my colleagues fewer clinical questions. The informal "hallway consults" that once punctuated my day have become less frequent. I have also reduced my use of the RACE line, a resource that I have long valued.
For years, I have enjoyed conversations with consultants through the RACE line. Beyond the clinical advice, these interactions often felt like private teaching sessions. Consultants shared not only recommendations but also their thought processes and practical wisdom. My patients appreciated knowing that I had discussed their case with a specialist, and those conversations often strengthened their confidence in the care we were providing together.
There was also something deeply affirming about these interactions. Consultants would occasionally respond with comments such as, “That’s an interesting case,” or “Great question.” Those brief remarks acknowledged my curiosity, validated my clinical reasoning, and reinforced my identity as a valued member of the healthcare team.
AI can provide information quickly and efficiently. What it cannot provide is genuine human connection. The consultant on the other end of the phone is not simply delivering information; they are participating in a professional relationship built on shared experience, mentorship, and collegiality.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into clinical practice, we may gain efficiency while sacrificing connection.
The future of medicine will almost certainly include AI. My hope is that it also continues to include the conversations, mentorship, and professional relationships that have long made the practice of medicine both intellectually rewarding and deeply human.
Disclaimer: As AI-enabled tools become more common in primary care, physicians are responsible for obtaining express patient consent and ensuring compliance with privacy legislation, including PIPA. Standardized guidance for AI consent workflows is still being developed, and clinicians should follow current legal and regulatory requirements when adopting these technologies. If you have any questions, please contact concierge@vancouverdivision.com.