The importance of prevention and primary care models and how AI can elevate them

Amy Bucher, Ph.D.

As of 2023, approximately 194 million U.S. adults—representing 76.4% of the adult population—reported having at least one chronic condition. Notably, 51.4% (about 130 million adults) reported having multiple chronic conditions.

These conditions are not only common—they’re also costly. The U.S. spends the vast majority of its healthcare dollars on treatment, not prevention. And yet, the evidence is clear: Preventive care offers substantial benefits over the long term, both for individual health outcomes and for controlling system-wide costs.

Still, our healthcare infrastructure, reimbursement models, and clinical workflows tend to focus on reactive care. Patients often prioritize acute issues, and providers are incentivized to treat problems rather than prevent them. While fully shifting to a prevention-first approach will require systemic change, there are ways we can begin to align our clinical experiences with preventive goals—starting with primary care.

The trusted physician as change agent

Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to guide patients toward healthier futures. They are set up to have the fullest view of a patient’s medical history, lifestyle, and risk factors. When the physician-patient relationship is ongoing, this trust becomes a powerful tool for behavior change. Research shows that continuity of care strengthens this bond and increases patients’ willingness to follow preventive recommendations.Moreover, behavioral counseling in primary care is an effective and recommended strategy for reducing risk factors related to chronic health conditions .

However, physicians are under immense pressure. Administrative responsibilities, especially those tied to electronic health records (EHRs), compete for time and attention. One study found that primary care doctors spend nearly equal time on EHR-related tasks as they do on direct patient care. With the weight of documentation, coordination, and compliance, it's difficult to maintain focus on prevention.

That’s why any movement toward a prevention-first model must include support for providers. Alleviating administrative burden and improving workflow can free up capacity for patient-centered conversations that focus on lifestyle, risk mitigation, and long-term health planning.

The role of AI in behavior change

Artificial intelligence is increasingly proving to be a valuable ally in efforts to influence patient behaviors and lifestyles in the service of prevention and well-being. AI tools can enhance the provider’s ability to support and direct patient efforts—not by replacing clinical judgment, but by streamlining communication, documentation, and decision-making.

For example:

• Generative AI can draft messages and patient outreach materials. Early studies suggest that these drafts often strike a warm and empathetic tone. Although physician oversight remains essential, these tools save time and improve patient engagement.
• AI-powered documentation assistants are beginning to reduce time spent on EHR entries. Though still evolving, these systems are making it easier to capture clinical notes accurately and efficiently.
• Predictive models can identify patients eligible for preventive care—like cancer screenings or immunizations—and flag those at risk for no-shows, enabling proactive outreach.
• Clinical decision support systems use AI to synthesize complex patient data into clear, actionable recommendations. This is already proving useful in high-stakes environments like emergency medicine and could increasingly benefit primary care.

On the patient side, AI tools are helping people take a more active role in managing their health:

• Digital health apps using recommender systems can offer tailored lifestyle suggestions and foster more productive conversations with providers.
• Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) send prompts at key moments, helping patients build healthy habits like physical activity or medication adherence.
• Chatbots can answer routine questions with speed and personalization. While there have been concerns with information accuracy and reliability, their quality is expected to rise as federal agencies like ARPA-H fund exploration of evaluation frameworks.

These technologies don’t replace the provider-patient relationship—they enhance it. As digital transformation accelerates, there’s an opportunity to prioritize AI tools that reinforce this foundational dynamic in primary care.

Prevention must be prioritized

Some clinicians and patients may be skeptical about AI’s role in healthcare. But AI is no longer an abstract future—it’s part of how people bank, shop, and learn today. It can also be part of how we promote well-being. With primary care providers serving a keystone role in prevention, we can’t afford not to support them with advanced tools.

By thoughtfully integrating AI into clinical workflows and patient routines, we can unburden providers, empower patients, and put prevention at the center of care. That’s not just a technological upgrade—it’s a behavioral one.

Amy Bucher, Ph.D. is chief behavioral officer at Lirio, Inc.