Russell, R. G., Lovett Novak, L., Patel, M., Garvey, K. V., Craig, K. J. T., Jackson, G. P., Moore, D., & Miller, B. M. (2023). Competencies for the use of artificial intelligence-based tools by health care professionals. Academic Medicine, 98(3), 348-356. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004963
The expanded use of clinical tools incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) methods has led to calls for specific competencies for their effective and ethical use. This qualitative study aimed to define AI-related clinical competencies for healthcare professionals through expert interviews. In 2021, a multidisciplinary team interviewed 15 experts in AI-based tools used in healthcare settings, focusing on the competencies healthcare professionals need to work effectively with such tools. The interviews were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed, with draft competency statements developed and shared with experts for feedback. These competencies were finalized through a consensus process across the research team.
From the analysis, six competency domains and 25 subcompetencies were identified. The main competency domains include: (1) Basic knowledge of AI, which involves understanding AI and its healthcare applications; (2) Social and ethical implications of AI, which covers the influence of social, economic, and political systems on AI-based tools and their impact on justice, equity, and ethics; (3) AI-enhanced clinical encounters, which emphasizes integrating diverse sources of information to create patient-centered care plans using AI tools; (4) Evidence-based evaluation of AI-based tools, which focuses on evaluating the quality, accuracy, safety, and biases of AI tools and their data sets; (5) Workflow analysis for AI-based tools, which involves analyzing and adapting to changes in teams, roles, and responsibilities due to AI tool implementation; and (6) Practice-based learning and improvement regarding AI-based tools, which encourages ongoing professional development related to the use of AI tools in healthcare.
These six clinical competencies provide a framework for guiding teaching and learning programs that can maximize the benefits of AI-based tools while minimizing potential harms.
