Navigating AI in Healthcare: A Practical Guide for Clinicians

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) have published resources for clinicians on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare delivery, offering powerful tools to enhance diagnosis, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes. Yet, with these advancements come new responsibilities and risks. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released resources for clinicians with essential principles for using AI safely, ethically, and effectively in clinical practice.

Understanding Your Role in AI-Enabled Care
Clinicians remain accountable for all decisions informed by AI tools. Whether AI is used for diagnosis, documentation, or decision support, it’s vital to understand its intended use, limitations, and regulatory status. If an AI tool meets the definition of a medical device—used for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring—it must comply with Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulations. Clinicians must also meet professional obligations under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and National Boards guidance.

Before You Use AI
AI tools vary in complexity—from rule-based systems to machine learning and generative AI. Each carries distinct risks. Before integrating AI into your workflow, critically assess its scope, evidence base, and safety profile. Review published literature, device labelling, and developer documentation. If evidence is lacking, reconsider its use and consult your organisation.

Transparency with patients is essential. Clinicians must explain the purpose, benefits, and risks of AI tools, and ensure informed consent procedures are in place. Consent should cover data use, including any sharing with third parties or use in ongoing AI training.

Common Risks and Ethical Considerations
AI outputs are shaped by training data, which may not reflect the diversity of your patient population. This can lead to biased recommendations and inequitable care. Be vigilant about fairness, especially regarding ethnicity, age, disability, and other factors. Treat AI as a support tool—never a replacement for clinical judgment.

Privacy is another critical concern. Confirm that personal health data is stored and processed securely, ideally within Australia. If data is used for training or shared externally, ensure explicit patient consent is obtained.

While Using AI
Use AI tools responsibly, applying professional judgment and reviewing outputs for accuracy. Generative AI may produce fictitious or misleading content, while machine learning tools can yield false positives or negatives. Always verify summaries, alerts, and recommendations before acting.

Be aware of automation bias—the tendency to over-rely on AI. This can lead to errors of commission (acting on incorrect outputs) or omission (missing critical information). Maintain a critical eye and prioritise clinical reasoning.

After Using AI
Ongoing monitoring is essential. Label records created with AI, ensure they meet documentation standards, and escalate any risks or adverse events. AI tools may evolve over time, changing their scope or functionality. Stay informed about updates and re-evaluate tools regularly.

Clinicians should contribute to governance forums and collaborate with developers to improve AI performance. Reporting issues to regulatory bodies like the TGA or the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) may be necessary in cases of harm or data breaches.

In summary, AI offers transformative potential in healthcare, but it’s safe and ethical use depends on informed, accountable clinicians. By following the Commission’s guidance, healthcare professionals can harness AI’s benefits while safeguarding patient trust, privacy, and equity.

For more details, refer to the Commission’s full AI Guide for Clinicians and other AI resources: Artificial Intelligence | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care