A week-by-week guide to building AI discussion into practice. The goal is for it to become as routine as asking about allergies.
Week 1
Start asking
Build the habit of asking every patient about AI use.
Memorize the opening question: "Before we start, did you look this up online or ask any AI about it?"
Brief MA and nursing staff to ask during intake
Add the AI question to the intake workflow
Create EHR smart phrases (.AIOK, .AICORRECT, .AIDELAY, .AINONE)
Ask every patient this week, no exceptions; keep a yes/no tally
Adjust the wording until it feels natural
Week 2
Start engaging
Actually engage with what the patient found.
When a patient says yes, ask to see what the AI told them, and actually read it
Ask: "What about this worried you most?"
Ask: "What didn't AI address that you're still wondering about?"
Ask: "What do you think is going on?"
Note which AI tools your patients use most
Week 3
Start integrating
Validate or correct, and document consistently.
Use validation and correction scripts out loud
Narrate your exam findings, make your sensing visible
Document AI involvement in every relevant encounter
Print patient handouts for the waiting room
Start a tracking sheet; categorize AI right / partial / wrong
Week 4
Start refining
Establish a sustainable routine; review and adjust.
Review the month: percent AI use, accuracy rate, delays
Identify common AI errors in your patient population
Adjust language and workflow to what is working
Get staff feedback; consider adding the question to intake forms
Share workflows with colleagues; propose practice-wide adoption if it works
Ongoing maintenance
Monthly (15 min): review AI use percentage (expect 15 to 25%), accuracy breakdown, AI-influenced delays (your harm metric), and any new tools. Quarterly (30 min): audit documentation compliance, staff refresher if needed, update handouts, review any AI-related complaints.
You have succeeded when asking about AI feels as natural as asking about allergies, documentation happens automatically, and patients volunteer their research without being asked.