The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has collaborated with health leaders to establish an Artificial Intelligence Code of Conduct (AICC) for responsible and effective use of AI in healthcare. The AICC provides guidelines and standards for AI tool development, emphasizing transparency, privacy, accountability, and ethics. Additionally, a study demonstrates how AI can help reduce appointment no-show rates and improve healthcare access, particularly for minority patients, without widening disparities. The NAM aims to continuously update the AICC with input from stakeholders to maximize the potential of AI in healthcare.
In a collaborative effort with various health and research organizations, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has developed an Artificial Intelligence Code of Conduct (AICC) to promote responsible and effective utilization of AI technology in the healthcare sector.
As the capabilities of AI continue to expand, there is a growing need for transparency regarding its impact on healthcare. This necessitates a greater sense of responsibility and caution to minimize potential errors.
Under the guidance of the NAM Leadership Consortium (LC), the AICC was formulated to establish a framework for the use of AI in healthcare. Over three years, the AICC provided guidelines to facilitate the development of AI tools with interoperable governance standards.
Building upon previous initiatives, the AICC aims to provide comprehensive guidance on stakeholder responsibilities, particularly in areas such as privacy, accountability, and ethics.
Dr. Michael McGinnis, the Leonard D. Schaeffer Executive Officer of the NAM, emphasized the importance of involving accomplished national leaders to create a universally adopted AI Code of Conduct. He stated that this collaborative effort would ensure the application of AI in healthcare aligns with scientific best practices and ethical principles, promoting effectiveness, efficiency, and equity for all members of society.
The development of the AICC also involves input from significant stakeholders and the public. Through structured gatherings, the NAM plans to continuously update the AICC to foster broader adoption and improve practices to harness the full potential of AI.
Recent research highlights the increasing focus on leveraging AI to enhance health equity rather than exacerbating disparities. A study conducted in May demonstrated the capabilities of AI in predicting appointment no-show rates, particularly among residents of various Cleveland-based communities, including minority groups.
While technological resources can aid healthcare access, disparities can impede equitable utilization. To address this, researchers from MetroHealth and Case Western Reserve University employed AI to identify the likelihood of missed appointments among adult internal medicine patients with a probable no-show rate of 15 percent or higher.
Using patient data, they constructed an AI model and initiated a trial where patients received phone calls from a scheduler. For those unable to make appointments, MetroHealth provided alternatives such as telehealth or transportation.
Analyzing the data, the researchers found that Black patients who received a phone call experienced a 36 percent lower no-show rate compared to those who did not receive a call.
Dr. Yasir Tarabichi, the lead author of the study and MetroHealth’s medical director of the virtual care enterprise and director of clinical research informatics, explained that the aim was to implement a fair model without exacerbating disparities. He emphasized the importance of offering an outreach mechanism that is equitable and provides equal opportunities for all individuals.
By leveraging AI, the researchers were able to assist patients at higher risk of missing appointments, ultimately bridging the gap in healthcare disparities. The study demonstrated that minority patients were more likely to respond to phone calls, indicating that meeting patients where they are and tailoring interventions can improve equity in healthcare access.
