FSMB Releases Recommendations on the Responsible and Ethical Incorporation of AI into Clinical Practice
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 2, 2024) – The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has released a report recommending best practices for state medical boards in governing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in clinical care. FSMB’s House of Delegates, comprised of members from each of the nation’s 70 state medical and osteopathic boards, adopted the report and its recommendations at FSMB’s 112th Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN.
The policy was drafted by FSMB’s Ethics and Professionalism Committee, chaired by Mark Woodland, MS, MD. The Committee was charged with identifying ethical principles for developing an understanding of AI and help inform regulatory considerations for state medical boards.
“These guidelines are some of the first that clearly outline steps physicians can take to meet their ethical and professional duties when using AI to assist in the delivery of care,” said Humayun Chaudhry, DO, MACP, President and CEO of FSMB. “We hope that this policy will reduce the risk of harm to patients and guide physicians by providing recommendations for state medical boards on how to promote safe and effective incorporation of AI into medical practice in a manner that prioritizes patient wellbeing.”
The policy focuses on providing accountabilty for the use of AI tools in different clinical settings in alignment with fundamental principles of professionalism. The policy also provides guidance for physicians, health systems, and developers to mitigate liability concerns that may hinder adoption of beneficial technologies; recommends requiring continuing medical education focused on AI in healthcare; and calls for greater collaboration between federal and state policymakers, as well as between regulators and developers of the technology.
You can view the full report and recommendations here.
About the Federation of State Medical Boards:
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is a national non-profit organization representing the medical boards within the United States and its territories that license and discipline allopathic and osteopathic physicians and, in some jurisdictions, other healthcare professionals. FSMB serves as the voice for state medical boards, supporting them through education, assessment, research and advocacy while providing services and initiatives that promote patient safety, quality healthcare and regulatory best practices. FSMB serves the public through Docinfo.org, a free physician search tool which provides background information on the more than 1 million doctors in the United States. To learn more about FSMB, visit www.fsmb.org.