A new horizon scan published in the Australian Journal of General Practice (AJGP) has mapped out how digital health technologies — from AI and genomics to digital twins and wearable devices — are set to reshape Australian general practice by 2035. For practice owners and recruiters, the implications go far beyond clinical workflows: they touch on how GPs are trained, what skills practices will need, and how to attract doctors who are ready for a tech-driven future.

The Technologies Coming to a Practice Near You

The AJGP scan identifies four fast-maturing technologies that will define the consulting room of the future. Generative AI is moving beyond transcribing notes to supporting history-taking, diagnostic reasoning, and patient education. Genomics and precision medicine will make point-of-care genetic testing and pharmacogenomics routine, allowing GPs to tailor prescribing and preventive care to each patient’s DNA. Longevity and wellness technologies are driving patient demand for metabolic monitoring and proactive health optimisation rather than just sick care. And digital twins — patient-specific replicas combining genomic, physiologic and lifestyle data — will allow GPs to simulate disease progression and treatment outcomes before they happen.

From Episodic to Continuous Care

The report argues that by 2035, general practice will shift from treating patients in isolated episodes to delivering continuous, data-enabled care. Patients will arrive at appointments with dashboards of self-collected data, predictive risk scores, and algorithm-generated recommendations. The GP’s role will evolve into that of trusted interpreter and navigator — helping patients weigh uncertain evidence, values, and choices rather than simply diagnosing and prescribing.

This shift has major implications for recruitment. Practices that invest early in digital literacy, interoperable systems, and team-based care models will be better positioned to attract GPs who want to work at the leading edge of medicine. Conversely, practices that lag on technology may find it harder to retain doctors who expect modern tools to streamline their workflow.

The Equity Challenge

The researchers also warn that without careful design, digital health risks widening the equity gap. Patients in rural and remote areas, those without reliable internet access, and communities facing language or cultural barriers could be left behind. For practices recruiting GPs to underserved areas, this is a critical consideration — the technology that promises to make care more personalised and efficient may inadvertently make it harder to serve the patients who need it most.

What Practices Can Do Now

The AJGP scan offers several “no regrets” actions for general practice today. Building digital and genomic literacy through training and CPD is essential — these skills will become as fundamental as clinical ones. Strengthening interoperability between clinical information systems will ensure practices can handle genomic, wearable, and AI-generated data. Embedding ethical governance frameworks for responsible AI use will maintain patient trust. And championing equity-by-design ensures digital health serves all communities, not just the digitally fluent.

For GP recruiters, the message is clear: the practices that will thrive in 2035 are those that start preparing today — investing in technology, training their teams, and positioning themselves as forward-thinking employers in a competitive recruitment market.

This article draws on research published in the Australian Journal of General Practice — read the original here: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2026/may/horizon-scan-2035