- Bring awareness to members, the public, media and/or specific groups/stakeholders
- Provide education to members, the public, media and/or specific groups/stakeholders
- Support/collaborate with other groups/organizations on work that’s already being done
WHEREAS a working definition of artificial intelligence (AI), also referred to as augmented intelligence, is “a computer application that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence”1;
WHEREAS, with a rapid proliferation of applications and uses of AI and related technologies in health care, including both clinical practice and research, AI is poised to “revolutionize” family medicine2;
WHEREAS there exists great potential of AI applications to reduce administrative burden, enhance patient care and offer additional value to clinicians, patients and other health care stakeholders3;
WHEREAS, in a survey conducted by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and digital health strategy group Rock Health Advisory between September and November 2024, half of the 1,200+ family physicians and other primary care clinicians who responded reported having used AI tools for at least one use case at work4,5;
WHEREAS there is limited policy at either the federal or state levels regulating the use of AI in health care as well as limited coordination across government and industry6,7;
WHEREAS the AAFP was one of the first medical societies to publish a set of principles for the ethical use of AI when, in October 2023, the AAFP published the Ethical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Family Medicine8,9;
WHEREAS, in the 2024 AAFP/Rock Health survey, family physicians and primary care clinicians reported numerous concerns related to AI use in their clinical practice, including but not limited to its potential impacts on clinician-patient relationships and personalization of care as well as the potential for increased liability4,5;
WHEREAS, in the 2024 AAFP/Rock Health survey, over 80 percent of family physicians and other primary care clinicians said they would like more training to use AI, including but not limited to a desire for increased education, training and guidance related to ethical use and legal, liability and malpractice risks associated with AI use in clinical practice4,5;
WHEREAS it is imperative that family physicians and scholars help to shape the integration of AI and related technologies into clinical practice and medical research10;
WHEREAS family physicians and trainees would benefit from education and training opportunities regarding safe, effective and equitable use of AI tools in medical practice;
BE IT RESOLVED that the MAFP support regulation and review of AI applications in health care in alignment with the AAFP’s policy Ethical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Family Medicine;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MAFP work to incorporate AI education and training in MAFP educational and training materials and offerings;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MAFP facilitate discussions among family physicians, family medicine researchers, medical educators, policymakers and technology experts that address issues related to the incorporation of AI tools into the practice of family medicine and primary care in Minnesota.
Originally submitted resolution
BE IT RESOLVED that…
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that…
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that…
Supporting information
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2814643
- https://www.jabfm.org/content/37/4/520.long
- https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/family-physicians-ready-to-try-ai-in-practice
- https://rockhealth.com/insights/ai-is-in-the-doctors-bag-and-primary-care-is-ready-to-use-it/
- https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/releases/ready-for-ai.html
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2825146
- https://infographics.bclplaw.marketing/ai-litigation-map/
- https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/ethical-ai.html
- https://stfm.org/media/cdyfresm/aafp-org-update_august-2024.pdf
- https://journals.stfm.org/familymedicine/2020/january/liaw-2019-0311/?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Family_Medicine_TrendMD_1
Comments in support (9)
Macaran Baird – AI is potentially powerful and must be carefully evaluated to ensure it does not cause distorted pathways to the best care of specific patients.
Carrie Link – Awareness of the effect of AI on our entire profession is essential.
Nancy Baker – I’m hopeful AI and machine learning will decrease the administrative burden of clinical practice. I’m in favor of the resolution to teach academy members ways to use the tools most effectively.
Olusola Adegoke – AI isn’t going away. But if we act now—with intentionality, education, and collaboration—we can shape it into a force that elevates, rather than undermines, the values of family medicine. MAFP has a chance to lead here, and I urge us to take it.
Andrew Slattengren – There is potential for Family Medicine physicians to utilize AI. This resolution includes prudent actions from MAFP.
Chris Reif – AI can make our lives as physicians better and easier. However, since AI is built on past work and evidence – which we know is very weak on the importance of DEI in diagnosis and patient care
Robert Koshnick – Medicine has been slow to adopt technology that can increase efficiency and productivity in part because we are not trained in how to use it. This resolution addresses the need for adequate training. AI has the potential to be a revolutionary tool in how medicine is practiced. This resolution should not be controversial and should be adopted.
Kim Krohn – Well written, important, and reasonable.
Glenn Nemec – AI is going to be a very rapidly moving and evolving area within medicine. It is likely going to require some constant monitoring and updating of our recommendations. An ongoing commitment to that would be a welcome addition to the “resolved”.
