AI’s Promise (and Peril) in Patient Care

Welcome to today’s episode of Womble Perspectives, where we’ll be diving into how artificial intelligence is helping shape the health care landscape.

As in other industries, AI can be a powerful ally for healthcare professionals. From organizing medical records to streamlining medication management and simplifying clinical documentation, AI is helping clinicians save time and improve accuracy. 

But how far can things go before AI’s helping hand turns into liability?

Read the full article

• AI Chatbots in the Medical Field: Healthcare Hero or HIPAA Nightmare?

About the author

• Amy Hill 

Transcript

Welcome to Womble Perspectives, where we explore a wide range of topics, from the latest legal updates to industry trends to the business of law. Our team of lawyers, professionals and occasional outside guests will take you through the most pressing issues facing businesses today and provide practical and actionable advice to help you navigate the ever changing legal landscape.

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Welcome to today’s episode of Womble Perspectives, where we’ll be diving into how artificial intelligence is helping shape the health care landscape.

As in other industries, AI can be a powerful ally for healthcare professionals. From organizing medical records to streamlining medication management and simplifying clinical documentation, AI is helping clinicians save time and improve accuracy. Tools powered by clinical-grade language processing are even making ICD-10 coding faster and more efficient.

But how far can things go before AI’s helping hand turns into liability?

As AI chatbots become more common in patient communication, handling everything from appointment scheduling to symptom assessment, clinicians face a critical challenge: how to harness these tools without compromising patient privacy.

AI chatbots simulate human conversation and offer round-the-clock access to medical information. They’re convenient, but they also collect data. Lots of it. And when sensitive patient data is involved, the stakes are high.

So how do we strike the right balance?

First, it starts with technology. Opt-out features and encryption protocols are essential. But even more impactful is collaboration. Tech companies need to work hand-in-hand with healthcare providers to develop HIPAA-compliant AI software. That’s where real progress happens.

Second, clinicians must take proactive steps. That means obtaining patient consent and anonymizing data before using AI tools. Legal safeguards, like signed releases for research use, can help mitigate HIPAA risks and ensure compliance.

And for those looking to go a step further, the National Institute of Standards and Technology offers a valuable resource. Their AI Risk Management Framework provides voluntary guidance to help organizations evaluate and manage the risks associated with AI systems. In other words, it can serve as a roadmap for responsible AI development.

In the end, the goal is clear: leverage the vast capabilities of artificial intelligence while protecting the privacy and trust of every patient. With robust encryption, thoughtful consent practices, and a commitment to compliance, AI can truly enhance the future of healthcare—for clinicians and patients alike.

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