Manager, Privacy | INQ Consulting
Introduction
Innovation using Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) in health care is becoming more widespread. The integration of AI in the healthcare sector has shown tremendous potential in enhancing patient outcomes through personalized diagnostic testing,¹ streamlining delivery processes,² and improving overall healthcare system efficiency.³ Implementing AI, despite concerns around privacy and legislative compliance, doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this blog post, a continuation of INQ's webinar 'Unlocking Value from AI in Healthcare' featuring Dr. Jeremy Petch from Hamilton Health Sciences, we explore strategies for responsible innovation. We'll focus on how to adopt AI in healthcare while respecting privacy and adhering to legislative requirements.
1. Take a privacy-by-design approach.
Privacy concerns are at the forefront of discussions surrounding AI in healthcare. Patients expect their health information to be protected and handled with the utmost care. For instance, Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (“PHIPA”)⁴ and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”)⁵ outline the regulatory and legislative safeguards for managing patient data. These legislative frameworks are not impediments to AI applications in the healthcare sector; they are the assurance that patient confidentiality remains paramount.
To navigate responsibly through the integration of AI, a privacy-centric approach is imperative. Implementing privacy-by-design principles⁶ ensures that considerations for transparency, informed consent, and minimal data usage remain integral to developing AI systems.⁷ This approach safeguards patient privacy while fostering technological advancement, enabling Canadians to use new and innovative healthcare technology solutions.
2. Focus on proactive regulatory compliance.
The legal landscape may seem complex, with provincial and federal legislation and regulation playing key roles. While provinces and territories may have their own legislative frameworks, it is imperative to consider the broader Canadian legal landscape. The federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”) legislates the protection of personal information. Healthcare organizations employing AI must navigate the nuances of both provincial and federal legislation to ensure comprehensive compliance and look ahead to Bill C-27, known as the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022, which will contain the first comprehensive laws governing AI in Canada.⁸
A strategic and proactive compliance strategy aligns AI development with legislative requirements, guaranteeing that innovation proceeds within legal bounds. By understanding and implementing this legislation conscientiously, healthcare organizations can harness the benefits of AI while remaining firmly within the parameters of their legal frameworks.
3. Test and validate your AI systems before implementation.
Responsible innovation in AI necessitates a conscientious approach to ethical considerations. Biases in algorithms, a common concern, can be mitigated through rigorous adherence to fairness, equity, and accountability principles and practices.⁹ By prioritizing ethical considerations in AI system design and deployment, we can cultivate an ecosystem where the benefits of AI are accessible to all without perpetuating disparities.
4. Empower stakeholders with AI training.
Knowledge is a powerful tool for dispelling apprehensions and myths surrounding AI use in healthcare. Educating healthcare professionals, administrators, and patients about the responsible use of AI fosters a collaborative environment where stakeholders are confident in experimentation and ensure good quality data is likewise secured.¹⁰ This collective understanding forms a crucial part of responsible innovation, ensuring that stakeholders are informed and actively involved in shaping the trajectory of AI integration in healthcare.
In conclusion, integrating AI in the healthcare sector need not be a source of trepidation for patients or healthcare providers. By prioritizing patient privacy, navigating the legal landscape diligently, embracing ethical considerations, and fostering education and collaboration, we can pave the way for responsible AI innovation, ensuring improved patient outcomes while upholding privacy and legal standards.
INQ is available to assist with practical strategies to help you utilize the opportunities presented by AI while maintaining your organization’s privacy and security practices.
¹ https://createhealth.ai/personalized-diagnostic-testing-through-ai/ and https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(22)00070-X/fulltext.
³ Ibid.