Annals of Family Medicine: Four New Studies Test Digital and Artificial Intelligence Screening Tools in Family Medicine

New research in Annals of Family Medicine explores the use of artificial intelligence, apps, and tablets to detect dementia, heart dysfunction, and hearing loss in primary care settings

PROVIDENCE, R.I., April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Four new original research articles published in Annals of Family Medicine examine how digital tools are being tested to support earlier detection of cognitive decline, heart dysfunction, and hearing loss in primary care. From tablet-based assessments to AI-enabled screenings, these studies point to both the promise and the practical challenges of using digital innovations in clinical environments.

Highlights from the four early access studies include:

Dementia screening in older adults

Two related studies from Indiana University tested a digital cognitive assessment tool for patients aged 65 and older across seven diverse primary care clinics. The first study found that nearly half of patients screened showed possible signs of cognitive impairment. A second companion study focused on implementation, showed that maintaining clinician engagement depended on allowing flexibility in workflow design across clinics. Screening rates increased throughout the 12-month study, and a brain-health navigator, who was a registered nurse, was introduced to support patients with positive screenings and assist clinicians with follow-up assessments.

AI-enabled cardiovascular screening in women

A Mayo Clinic pilot study evaluated whether AI-driven tools using electrocardiograms and a digital stethoscope could detect heart dysfunction in women of reproductive age. In the diagnostic cohort, which included women already scheduled for echocardiograms, the tools showed strong performance in identifying left ventricular systolic dysfunction (cardiomyopathy). In the screening cohort, made up of young women seen in routine primary care, the rate of positive screens was low, suggesting that the need for confirmatory echocardiograms is likely to be acceptable if routine screening is implemented.

Tablet-based hearing screening in French family practice

A study conducted in private family practices in France tested the feasibility of tablet-based hearing screenings using Bluetooth headphones. Out of 516 eligible patients, 219 completed the screening at their primary care visits. On average, it took about six minutes per patient to complete the process, including consent and instructions. Although 27 percent screened positive for hearing impairment, only a small number followed through with specialty care.

An accompanying editorial emphasizes that the value of digital screening tools lies not only in what they do, but in how they are implemented. It calls for adaptable workflows, team-based care, and systems that support clinicians and patients beyond the moment of screening. "In a time when news headlines tout the inevitability of algorithms replacing clinicians, these examples show that digital tools work best when they augment rather than replace them," the authors write.

All four original research studies and the accompanying editorial are available now as early access publications in the Annals of Family Medicine.

Article Cited:

Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementing a Digital Cognitive Assessment for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias in Primary Care
Nicole R. Fowler, PhD, MHSA; Dustin B. Hammers, PhD; Anthony J. Perkins, MS; Diana Summanwar, MD; Anna Higbie; Kristen Swartzell, PhD, RN; Jared R. Brosch, MD; Deanna R. Willis, MD, MBA

Agile Implementation of a Digital Cognitive Assessment for Dementia in Primary Care
Diana Summanwar, MD; Nicole R. Fowler, PhD, MHSA; Dustin B. Hammers, PhD, ABPP-CN; Anthony J. Perkins, MS; Jared R. Brosch, MD; Deanna R. Willis, MD, MBA

Artificial Intelligence Tools for Preconception Cardiomyopathy Screening Among Women of Reproductive Age
Anja Kinaszczuk, DO; Andrea Carolina Morales-Lara, MD; Wendy Tatiana Garzon-Siatoya, MD; Sara El-Attar, MD; Adrianna D. Clapp, MD; Ifeloluwa A. Olutola, MD; Ryan Moerer; Patrick Johnson, MS; Mikolaj A. Wieczorek, MS; Zachi I. Attia, PhD; Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MS, MD; Paul A. Friedman, MD; Rickey E. Carter, PhD; Peter A. Noseworthy, MD, MBA; Demilade Adedinsewo, MD, MPH

Hearing Screening in Private Family Practice Medicine Using Tablet Applications
Maria El Mouahidine; Arnaud Génin; Frédéric Venail; Jean-Luc Puel; Jean-Charles Ceccato

Information Technology in Primary Care Screenings: Ready for Prime Time?
Bhrandon Harris, MD, FAAFP, FAMIA; Karl Kochendorfer, MD, FAAFP, FAMIA; Memoona Hasnain, MD, MHPE, PhD; Masahito Jimbo, MD, PhD, MPH, FAAFP

Annals of Family Medicine is an open access, peer-reviewed, indexed research journal that provides a cross-disciplinary forum for new, evidence-based information affecting the primary care disciplines. Launched in May 2003, Annals of Family Medicine is sponsored by seven family medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Medicine, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, the North American Primary Care Research Group, and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Annals of Family Medicine is published online six times each year, charges no fee for publication, and contains original research from the clinical, biomedical, social, and health services areas, as well as contributions on methodology and theory, selected reviews, essays, and editorials. Complete editorial content and interactive discussion groups for each published article can be accessed for free on the journal's website, www.AnnFamMed.org.

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SOURCE Annals of Family Medicine