Leaders in the health policy space discussed how we can balance the efficiency of artificial intelligence (AI) and concern for patients at the Alliance for Health Policy’s annual signature series, “AI in Health – Navigating New Frontiers,” which I attended last month in Washington, D.C.
Innovation in AI, particularly in the past decade, has offered widespread efficiency on a mass scale. AI can replicate human intelligence at an increasingly rapid pace. But how do technological innovations affect the health policy space?
AI increases administrative efficiency and can be used to summarize clinical notes, recognize patterns in data to prevent fraud, provide frameworks for enhancing quality and safety, and aid in clinical evaluation, especially in the interpretation of results.
Artificial intelligence can play a beneficial role for patients with disabilities, especially those with blindness. AI can read data aloud to patients, but they often must sign away privacy rights and use of their data to receive these services. In physicians’ adoption of artificial intelligence, they will need to promote informed consent and transparency with patients in their practices.
Additionally, AI may present data privacy and security risks. It is currently unclear whether the use of advancing technologies may present future cybersecurity risks for businesses and patients who opt in to usage.
Bias is present in both human and AI decision-making in health care, especially against people of color, people with disabilities, and patients with rare conditions, who are underrepresented in the data sets that intelligence utilizes to make decisions. To rectify current discrimination, representation of these groups must be demanded in current and future clinical trials.
As artificial intelligence plays a larger role in health, doctors of chiropractic will need to become aware of its use in conjunction with personal expertise, and how to responsibly incorporate it with concern for impact on their patients. Striking a balance between improving efficiency and human concern is becoming increasingly important as AI advances.
Watch for information on how you can become familiar with AI and its role in your clinic, coming soon to Learn ACA.
Emma Meehan is ACA’s associate manager of federal government relations.
