Contents
Dozens of pages of practical solutions developed by experts in the field of artificial intelligence in health – this is the result of several months of work on the creation of the “White Book of AI in clinical practice”. The premiere of self-regulation in the health and technology industry took place during the second edition of the conference AI in health. The White Paper is the first such comprehensive self-regulation of the AI industry in this part of Europe.
The industry’s self-regulation filled the gap
The use of artificial intelligence by Polish medical institutions has so far been associated with many challenges and doubts. Reason? Lack of adequate regulations both at the national and EU level. Innovation leaders in Polish medical facilities have to deal with the lack of regulations regarding the use of AI in health. The legislative process at EU level is at a relatively early stage.
The answer to the related challenges is precisely that White Paper of AI in clinical practicewhich premiered during the second edition of the conference AI in health, which took place on June 14, 2022.
Why the “White Book of AI in Clinical Practice”?
The authors of self-regulation set themselves the goal of identifying the most important questions and doubts that arise in the everyday practice of using AI. From the document, you can find out what artificial intelligence is in health, what opportunities it creates, whether its use in health care is legally permissible, how artificial intelligence can support a medical professional and patient, and what is the public policy for the development of artificial intelligence in health protection. The authors of the document also paid a lot of attention to the rights of the patient. This is important because medical institutions and doctors have asked many questions so far about how to use solutions based on artificial intelligence in accordance with the existing law.
Will AI replace doctors?
The White Book includes, inter alia, guidance on the use of AI in accordance with the rules of medical profession. An important aspect is, above all, the fact that AI does not replace a medical professional, does not make decisions for him, does not provide health services for him, nor does he independently make a decision about his health. Artificial intelligence aims to support therapeutic, diagnostic, research, organizational and management processes, and to be a tool in the hands of a doctor.
— There is no turning back from artificial intelligence in health. This is a fact and at the same time a great opportunity for more effective treatment of patients and more effective functioning of the health care system. In practice, this means faster and more accurate diagnostics, implementation of appropriate treatment, as well as optimization of resources and costs – he notes Ligia Kornowska, Managing Director of the Polish Federation of Hospitals, Leader of the AI Coalition in Health.
AI and the provision of health services
The authors of the White Paper also focused on the aspect of using artificial intelligence to provide health services. They started their deliberations in this context with the Act on Medical Activity and pointed to the complicated situation of legal persons who are responsible for the health services provided within their functioning. In this case – theoretically – when the artificial intelligence used by the hospital refuses the patient to see a doctor, the patient may formulate an accusation that the hospital refused to provide him with a health service.
It should be pointed out that in the current legal state, responsibility for health services rests with doctors and other medical professionals, and not with the tools used to provide them. So it is not AI that provides the health service, but the physician using it. The benefit is therefore provided by a natural person, for whose actions a legal person (e.g. a hospital) may also be responsible.
Informing the patient about AI
The use of artificial intelligence also raises the question of whether the patient should be informed about the use of AI when providing services and should he consent to it?
The mere use of AI does not have to mean the need to inform, obtain consent or include information in the patient’s records. The most important thing is to determine the importance of using AI in the diagnostic and therapeutic process. However, there should be no extreme situations, such as the doctor’s failure to provide information to the patient when AI is used, or, on the contrary, burdening the patient with data that he or she does not understand and often does not need. It is worth noting that the patient has the right to ask for explanations as long as the information provided is understood by him.
Practical tips
The “White Paper of AI in Clinical Practice” indicates the proposed directions of responses and possible solutions which, in the opinion of the authors of the self-regulation, may contribute to increasing the safety and quality of AI use, and consequently to building trust in this technology. The document contains a list of the most common questions regarding the use of AI along with answers.
The authors of the White Book are the Polish Federation of Hospitals, Coalition AI in Health and GRAI for Artificial Intelligence.
The partners are IQVIA, Microsoft, Medicover, Grupand LUXMED, Abbot and Comarch Healthcare.
We invite you to read the White Paper at the link: https://aiwzdrowiu.pl/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/BIA_A-KSIE_GA_AI-W-ZDROWIU_2022.pdf