AI in primary care webinar

AI in primary care – Special interest group session 2 November 2023 Overview An evening webinar was held on Thursday 2nd November 2023 to discuss the potential role, risks, and opportunities for the use of AI in primary care in New Zealand.

The session highlighted the growing interest in AI for healthcare with over 130 registrations from GPs, nurses, managers and other allied health providers.

The session was planned and organised with support from Health Navigator Charitable Trust, RNZCGP, MPS and colleagues.

Key speakers • • • • • •

Dr Karl Cole: International and national AI perspectives.

Dr Jamie Shepherd: Practical experiences using AI in his practice.

Tom Broadhead, RNZCGP: Developing guidance for safe AI and digital tool use.

Jayde Mead (Lawyer): Medico-legal perspectives.

Jon Herries (Data and Digital Te Whata Ora): Emerging AI technologies.

Chaired by Dr Janine Bycroft, GP and CEO Health Navigator Charitable Trust

Discussion points Cost and accessibility: Concerns about AI tool costs and accessibility were raised. A GP from Christchurch, mentioned using NABLA for a month and was concerned about the on-going cost once the ‘free’ 30 consultations have been used. Others commented they have used Nabla for hundreds of consults and not yet been charged, however, will be willing to pay for it in due course as it saves them so much time each day.

Privacy and security: A question was asked about the extent of privacy impact assessments conducted by those using AI so far. There was interest in an opportunity to combine efforts to standardise these assessments or do nationally for primary care.

Consent and patient data: Is consent required from every patient before using AI tools? There were a range of answers and perspectives. Most respondents are asking each patient/client before using clinical scribe tools. Some practices are adding information about AI to their enrolment forms and displaying information in waiting and consult rooms.

Understanding specific accents: AI's ability to understand different accents was discussed, highlighting its accuracy and efficiency.

The use of clinical scribe tools in phone consults: The effectiveness of AI clinical scribe tools in phone consultations was affirmed, with the necessity of using a speaker for audio capture mentioned.

Data storage and training: Clarifications were made regarding the storage of data by AI tools like NABLA and their use of data for training.

Selecting trustworthy AI tools: Tips were shared on how to choose reliable AI tools, stressing the importance of proper consent and review of AI outputs.

Data sovereignty concerns: Discussions on data sovereignty highlighted the transient nature of data in AI processes and the importance of considering data storage locations.

Implications of AI in healthcare: Jon Herries from Te Whare Ora's data and digital team provided insights into the broader implications of AI in healthcare and the importance of understanding the risks associated with data usage and content generation by AI models.

Legal and regulatory perspectives Privacy and compliance: Emphasis was placed on privacy assessments, transparency, and informed patient consent. The importance of understanding and complying with privacy laws was highlighted.

Security measures: Recommendations included assessing the security of third-party AI tools and using multi-factor authentication.

Record retention and accuracy: Guidance on retaining and ensuring the accuracy of AI-generated records was discussed. We are responsible for any content we copy into clinical records.

Disclosure and training: The limitations on the use and disclosure of personal information were highlighted, alongside the necessity for proper training in using AI tools.

Discussion highlights AI tools in practice: Jamie Shepherd shared significant improvements in consultation efficiency and patient care due to AI tool usage. He noted a decrease in wait times and enhanced patient satisfaction.

Responsibility and AI in diagnostics: The responsibility for AI tool outputs lies with clinicians, with an emphasis on the need for clinicians to critically assess AI-generated information.

Legal and privacy concerns: Jade Mead emphasised the importance of privacy impact assessments, meaningful consent, and the responsibility of practitioners in using AI tools.

Emerging technologies: Jon Herries discussed AI's rapid development, suggesting a cautious but open approach to adopting these technologies.

Challenges and opportunities Participants recognised AI's potential to improve primary care but also discussed the need for careful implementation considering legal, ethical, and privacy concerns.

The use of clinical scribes and other AI tools to reduce burnout: AI tools like NABLA can significantly save time and potentially alleviate burnout by reducing the note-taking burden and improving patient interactions.

Next steps and recommendations Proposals were made to form a working group and develop best practices and guidelines for AI tool usage in primary care settings.

The session concluded with an emphasis on combining knowledge and skills to create guidance for colleagues new to AI tools in healthcare, ensuring a cautious yet open-minded approach.

Webinar replay This can be viewed here.

Register your interest Please click and fill in this form to register for further information and to express interest in being part of an AI in primary care special interest group.