a stethescope and a circuit board

Will AI Replace Primary Care? A Trauma-Informed Take on the Future of Medicine

July 16, 20253 min read

“AI may do the task, but only humans can hold the story.” — Mary Coughlin

We’re standing on the edge of a massive shift in healthcare.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a someday concept—it’s here, and it’s already reshaping how we deliver care. Across hospitals and clinics, algorithms are being trained to detect disease, answer patient questions, and streamline workflows.

But with all this change comes a question I hear more and more often:

Will we still need doctors in the age of AI?
More specifically: Is primary care about to be replaced?

The short answer?
Yes—and no.

AI Is Already Changing Primary Care

Primary care is often the first place people enter the healthcare system—and it’s where we’re seeing some of the most immediate AI integration. Here’s how:

1. Diagnostics & Decision Support

AI excels at pattern recognition. From detecting skin cancer on photos to flagging abnormal labs in real time, algorithms are helping clinicians make faster, more accurate decisions—sometimes better than human counterparts. And they never get tired.

2. Administrative Relief

The paperwork burden in healthcare is staggering. AI can now transcribe notes, submit billing codes, and even automate prior authorizations. This doesn’t just save time—it prevents burnout.

3. Proactive, Personalized Monitoring

Remote monitoring tools are feeding real-time data into AI systems that can alert providers (and patients) before a crisis occurs. Think of it as a 24/7 early warning system, offering a new kind of preventive care.

4. Virtual First Encounters

Chatbots and AI assistants are already managing basic questions, triaging symptoms, and recommending next steps. They’re faster than a phone call and available anytime.

So Will We Need Fewer Doctors?

It depends on how we define the role of a doctor.

YES — For Routine, Algorithmic Care:

  • AI will manage more low-acuity encounters.

  • Fewer in-person visits may be needed for basic issues.

  • A single clinician may safely oversee a larger panel of patients with AI’s support.

BUT NO — Because AI Can’t Replace Human Healing:

  • AI can’t build trust.

  • It can’t hold silence for someone’s grief.

  • It can’t read between the lines of a trauma story—or choose when not to speak.

  • It doesn’t understand lived experience, power, or presence.

The Rise of a New Kind of Healer

The clinicians of tomorrow will need:

  • Fluency in data and systems thinking

  • Cultural humility and trauma-informed perspective

  • Ethical discernment in the face of powerful algorithms

  • And above all, relational presence

In this new world, the physician’s role won’t disappear. It will evolve—from gatekeeper of knowledge to interpreter of wisdom, from diagnostician to deep listener and advocate.

A Paradox and a Truth

The more we automate the tasks of healthcare, the more we will need humans for the care.

AI may do the job, but only humans can hold the story.

In this way, AI doesn’t diminish the clinician’s role.
It clarifies it.

And that might be the gift we didn’t see coming.

Coming Next: What About Nurses?

In my next post, I’ll explore the future of nursing in an AI-powered system. Spoiler alert: Nurses aren’t going anywhere—but they may finally be seen for the powerful, intuitive healers they’ve always been.

Reflection Prompt

What does care mean to you in the age of machines?

Where do you see yourself in the future of healing?

Let’s Stay in Conversation

If you’re a clinician, educator, or leader grappling with these changes, you’re not alone.
Join me in the TIP 2.0 Certificate Program, where we explore the science, soul, and skills of trauma-informed care in the 21st century and beyond.

Because caring will never be obsolete.
But it will be reimagined.

Take care and care well,

Mary

Mary Coughlin, BSN, MS, NNP, is a globally recognized leader in Trauma-Informed Developmental Care and the founder of Caring Essentials Collaborative. With over 35 years of clinical experience and a deep passion for nurturing the tiniest and most vulnerable among us, Mary’s work bridges the art and science of neonatal care. She is the creator of the Trauma-Informed Professional (TIP) Assessment-Based Certificate Program, a transformative initiative designed to empower clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and support to deliver exceptional, relationship-based care.

Mary is also an award-winning author, sought-after speaker, and compassionate educator who inspires healthcare professionals worldwide to transform their practice through empathy, connection, and evidence-based care. As the visionary behind the B.U.F.F.E.R. framework, Mary helps clinicians integrate love, trust, and respect into every interaction.

Through her blog, Mary invites readers to explore meaningful insights, practical tools, and heartfelt reflections that honor the delicate balance of science and soul in healthcare. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician, a passionate advocate, or simply curious about the profound impact of compassionate care, Mary’s words will leave you inspired and empowered.

Mary Coughlin

Mary Coughlin, BSN, MS, NNP, is a globally recognized leader in Trauma-Informed Developmental Care and the founder of Caring Essentials Collaborative. With over 35 years of clinical experience and a deep passion for nurturing the tiniest and most vulnerable among us, Mary’s work bridges the art and science of neonatal care. She is the creator of the Trauma-Informed Professional (TIP) Assessment-Based Certificate Program, a transformative initiative designed to empower clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and support to deliver exceptional, relationship-based care. Mary is also an award-winning author, sought-after speaker, and compassionate educator who inspires healthcare professionals worldwide to transform their practice through empathy, connection, and evidence-based care. As the visionary behind the B.U.F.F.E.R. framework, Mary helps clinicians integrate love, trust, and respect into every interaction. Through her blog, Mary invites readers to explore meaningful insights, practical tools, and heartfelt reflections that honor the delicate balance of science and soul in healthcare. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician, a passionate advocate, or simply curious about the profound impact of compassionate care, Mary’s words will leave you inspired and empowered.

LinkedIn logo icon
Instagram logo icon
Back to Blog