The American Medical Association (AMA) now has a Center for Digital Health and AI. This new endeavor was created to put physicians at the center of shaping, guiding, and implementing the technologies that are transforming medicine.
It is clear that digital health tools and artificial intelligence (AI) have been advancing rapidly, but unfortunately this is happening without physician leadership and input. Serious risks can result that may create unintended burdens and medical errors. AMA’s new Center strives to tap the full potential of AI and digital health by involving physicians throughout the lifecycle of technology development and deployment to ensure it fits into clinical workflow and clinicians know how to utilize it.
AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH, stated that “Augmented Intelligence will be a defining force in the future of health care, but right now we are barely scratching the surface of its potential. Digital health tools are everywhere and the technology has limitless opportunity, but if you don’t understand clinical practice or clinical workflow, even the best tools will never be fully implemented.” The goal of the Center for Digital Health and AI is to harness innovation responsibly and effectively, so it improves patient care and reduces unnecessary burdens on physicians.
The Center for Digital Health and AI will focus on:
- Policy and regulatory leadership: Working with regulators, policymakers, and technology leaders to shape benchmarks for safe and effective use of AI in medicine and digital health tools.
- Clinical Workflow Integration: Creating opportunities for doctors to shape AI and digital tools so they work within clinical workflows and enhance patient and clinician experience.
- Education & training: Equipping physicians and health systems with knowledge and tools to integrate AI efficiently and effectively into practice.
- Collaboration: Building partnerships across the tech, research, government, and health care sectors to drive innovation aligned with patient needs.
Link to The AMA Center for Digital Health and AI for more information and to subscribe to news and updates.