Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming integrated into everyday healthcare, thanks to its potential to transform and support new ways of working. 

But how can you ensure that you maintain the high standard of care expected by your patients when using these new technologies? Ahpra and the Physiotherapy Board of Australia have provided guidance on meeting professional obligations when using AI in healthcare. 

This guidance notes the possible benefits of AI in healthcare and the responsibilities and potential challenges associated with its use.

‘The Physiotherapy Board of Australia supports the safe use of AI in healthcare,’ said Board Chair Paula Harding. 

‘We recognise the role AI can play in improving care and patient satisfaction by potentially reducing administrative burdens and practitioner burnout. 

For example, when used responsibly AI scribing tools can support workload management by automating aspects of clinical record keeping.’ 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration regulates AI tools that have a therapeutic use and meet the definition of a medical device. Health practitioners can contact the vendor or search the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods database to check if the tools they are using are registered. 

Ahpra and the National Boards have identified key principles to highlight existing professional obligations that apply when health practitioners use AI in their practice. 

These include: 

Accountability 

Physiotherapists are responsible for delivering safe and quality healthcare and ensuring their own practice meets the professional obligations set out in the shared Code of conduct. 

‘Even if the Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved an AI tool or software, physiotherapists should consider their own judgement before using it in a clinical setting,’ Paula says. 

‘These tools and software must be tested to ensure they are fit for purpose and support high-quality care.’ 

During clinical placement, physiotherapy students’ use of AI should be closely supervised and monitored to ensure compliance with organisational or practice policies. 

Understanding 

Physiotherapists should sufficiently understand the AI tool in order to use it safely and comply with their professional obligations.

Physiotherapists should review product information about an AI tool including how developers have trained and tested it and its intended use. 

They should also be aware of the limitations and clinical contexts where they should not use it. 

Finally, physiotherapists should consider how the software retains and uses data and where it stores this information. 

Transparency 

Physiotherapists should inform patients about their plan to use AI and consider any concerns raised. 

They should also consider how and when they intend to use the technology to determine the amount of information patients should receive. 

For example, a physiotherapist would need to provide more information if a patient’s personal information will be collected and used. 

Informed consent

Physiotherapists need to include patients in the decision to use AI tools that require input of the patient’s personal data. 

They must also first consider whether the collection of the patient’s data is entirely necessary for their care. 

Practitioners should obtain informed consent from patients and note patient responses in health records. 

If AI models are used during private consultations, there may be criminal implications if consent is not obtained before recording. AI transcription software should include an explicit consent requirement as an initial step before proceeding.

Ethical and legal issues 

The shared Code of conduct for healthcare practitioners contains obligations relevant to the use of AI including: 

• ensuring confidentiality and privacy for patients and clients
• supporting the health and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and patients/clients from diverse backgrounds
• complying with relevant legislation and/or regulatory requirements relating to AI use in practice
• awareness of governance arrangements established by employers, hospitals or practices to oversee the implementation, use and monitoring of AI to ensure ongoing safety and performance, including a practitioner’s role and responsibilities
• holding appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements for all aspects of a practitioner’s practice and consulting providers if a practitioner is unsure whether AI tools used in their practice are covered.  

Find out more about meeting your professional obligations when using AI in healthcare by visiting ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Artificial- Intelligence-in-healthcare.aspx