Some examples of the current use of AI in medicine include speech-to-text transcription, AI scribing, computer vision for reading radiology or pathology images, various types of decision support or data summarization tools, and technologies that interact directly with patients, such as medical chatbots.
AMA Principles and Policy
In the interests of ensuring that AI is used in ways that promote the positive potential of the technology and mitigate the risks of negative outcomes, the AMA Informatics Advisory Committee developed a set of AI Principles and Policies. These principles and policies were adopted by the AMA Board of Directors and reflect the AMA’s position in key areas such as Ethics and Bias, Patient Care, Education and Change Management, Medical Accountability, Adoption and Access, Governance, Regulations and Practice Guidelines, Privacy and Data Governance, Research and Evaluation, and Climate and Environmental Impact.
Resources
AMA continues to work with other jurisdictions and stakeholders to collaborate on guidance and support for physicians in the adoption and safe use of AI in medical practice. The following resources have been compiled as they offer valuable insight and advice.
The available resources will be constantly evolving with the AI environment so please check back often for updates.
- CPSA Advice to the Profession – AI in Generated Patient Record Content
- Integrating AI applications into CPSA’s regulatory work
- CPSA – Should I use AI to complete my charts?
- CPSA – AI applications in health care
- CMPA – AI in medical practice
- CMPA – AI Scribes: Answers to frequently asked questions
- CMPA – The medico-legal lens on AI use by Canadian physicians
- Doctors of BC - Using AI Scribe Technologies – Includes information on practical considerations for using AI, implementation considerations, limitations and privacy and security considerations.
- OMD AI Knowledge Zone – Provides information on choosing, adopting and optimizing AI solutions, and a list of pre-qualified AI scribe vendors.
- Centre for Effective Practice – AI learning centre
- Clinic poster for patient awareness
- OIPC AI: Guidance for Small Custodians – High level definitions and considerations.
As with all new administrative practices or information system, a PIA update will be required before you introduce AI into your clinic. AMA has compiled PIA related resources to help with this PIA process.