One of Australia’s largest aged care and healthcare providers has stood up a new advisory body to guide the use of artificial intelligence in clinical settings.
St Vincent's – which operates 25 aged care facilities and 12 private and public hospitals – convened the first meetings of its AI Clinical Council on the 8th and 9th of October under the direction of Jonathan Ruane, a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
The Council aims to explore the “ethical and effective” use of AI across all of St Vincent’s services.
"Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform healthcare, but only if it is implemented in ways that strengthen, rather than diminish, the human relationships at the heart of care," Dr Chris Robinson (pictured), St Vincent's Chief Medical Officer, said in a statement.
"The purpose of the St Vincent’s AI Clinical Council is to bring together clinical expertise, operational experience and community perspectives to help identify where AI can make the greatest difference for patients, residents and staff."
Dr Robinson added that St Vincent’s was uniquely positioned to understand the risks and impacts of AI in patient care.
"Because we operate across hospitals, aged care, research and care in the home, we are exposed to a wide range of patient needs, clinical environments, and levels of digital maturity,” Dr Robinson said.
“That gives us a unique perspective on how AI can be used safely, responsibly and equitably across the health system for the benefit of people – both who are cared for by the system and who work in the system."
St Vincent’s said the Council will not replace any existing governance systems, but would instead “ensure decisions about AI are informed by frontline clinical expertise, operational realities, and the voices of patients and residents”.
In addition, St Vincent’s has addressed a letter to the Prime Minister encouraging the inclusion of healthcare providers in devising Australian Standards for AI use.
"As AI becomes increasingly embedded in healthcare, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to help shape the conversation nationally," Dr Robinson said.
“Our focus is not just on what AI can do, but on how it can support human dignity, equity, trust and better health outcomes.”
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