The American Medical Association (AMA) has endorsed the contributory role that augmented intelligence -- also known as artificial intelligence (AI) -- can play in improving patient care and population health, and in reducing overall costs and promoting professional satisfaction of physicians.
Delegates at the AMA's annual meeting this week pledged to advocate for a number of AI initiatives, including the oversight and regulation of healthcare AI systems based on the technology's benefits to patients, physicians, caregivers, and other ancillary staff.
In addition, the organization supports payment and coverage for all AI systems that meet the following criteria:
- Comply with all appropriate federal and state laws and regulations regarding patient safety, efficacy, equity, truthful claims, privacy, and security
- Enable physicians to prepare for and transition to new care delivery models
- Support effective communication and engagement among patients, physicians, and the healthcare team
The AMA also recommended that physicians not be penalized for not using AI systems while regulatory oversight, standards, clinical validation, clinical usefulness, and standards of care are developed and finalized.
"Medical experts are working to determine the clinical applications of AI -- work that will guide healthcare in the future," said Dr. Gerald Harmon, former chair of the AMA's board of trustees, in a statement. "These experts, along with physicians, state, and federal officials must find the path that ends with better outcomes for patients. We have to make sure the technology does not get ahead of our humanity and creativity as physicians."
