Medical Council Position Statement on Artificial Intelligence
Principle-Based Position Statement on the Use of AI in Clinical Decision-Making
Issued by the Medical Council of Ireland
Introduction
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in clinical settings offers the potential to improve patient outcomes, streamline processes, and support evidence-based care. However, its integration into practice must be underpinned by an unwavering commitment to patient safety, professional integrity, and public trust. As with all innovations in medicine, the use of AI should be guided by the foundational values and principles underpinning good professional practice.
This position statement sets out the core values and considerations that should guide medical professionals in the responsible use of AI in clinical settings. It underpins the principle-based guidance of the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners (9th Edition, 2024). A Doctor’s have a duty to comply with the laws and regulations pertaining to their practice. A doctors practice and conduct will also be informed by professional, clinical, and organisational policies and guidelines.
Professional Accountability and Clinical Judgment
At the heart of clinical care lies the well-being and safety of the patient. Clinical decisions must always be grounded in sound medical knowledge, professional experience, and an understanding of each patient's unique context and needs. While AI can assist with diagnostics and treatment recommendations, doctors must have confidence in the standard of the tool they are utilising, recognising that unreliable or poor-quality data ("rubbish in") will lead to flawed results ("rubbish out").
Doctors ultimately remain responsible for their clinical decisions in the treatment of their patients. Like any other diagnostic tool, the use of AI should augment, rather than replace, clinical decision-making, reinforcing the doctor’s duty to scrutinise and interpret AI recommendations appropriately. Doctors must rely on their critical thinking, reasoning, and judgement as the final authority.
Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records will provide important evidence of sound clinical judgment and accountability.
Transparency, Communication, and Shared Decision-Making
Transparency is essential; patients should be informed when AI tools are used in the diagnosis, treatment and delivery of their care. In communicating with patients about the use of AI, doctors should apply proportionality and professional judgment. The level of information a doctor needs to provide will depend on how and when AI is being used. For example, if AI is being used as part of software to improve the accuracy of interpreting diagnostic images, the doctor would not be expected to provide technical detail about how the software works. However, if a doctor is using an AI tool to record consultations, they would need to provide more information about how the AI works and may impact the patient in terms of its collection and use of their personal information (for example, if public generative AI software is used personal information becomes public domain).
Equity, Ethics, and the Prevention of Bias
Ethical practice demands vigilance against bias and inequality. There is a risk that poorly designed AI tools could reinforce existing disparities, especially affecting vulnerable or underrepresented groups. Doctors have a duty to advocate for fairness and equity in healthcare and must ensure that AI contributes to, rather than detracts from, these goals. It is essential that no patient is disadvantaged or harmed due to hidden biases within AI algorithms. In line with this, doctors must advocate for the development and implementation of AI tools that are inclusive, representative, and sensitive to the diverse needs of the populations they serve.
Confidentiality, Data Protection, and Information Security
Protecting patient confidentiality and data integrity remains paramount. Patients place their trust in doctors to safeguard sensitive information, and this trust extends to the digital and technological environments in which care is now often delivered. Any use of AI must comply with relevant data protection legislation and uphold the trust placed in the profession to safeguard personal information.
Education, Competence, and Continuous Professional Development
Doctors are expected to maintain and update their professional competence throughout their careers. As AI becomes more prevalent in clinical practice, it is the responsibility of the doctor to ensure they undertake appropriate training to understand what AI can and cannot do, to develop sufficient understanding of how such tools work, their appropriate uses, and the ethical considerations involved. Professional development activities should reflect the evolving landscape of digital health and include opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in AI literacy.
Conclusion
While AI can be a valuable tool for assisting clinical decision-making and providing administrative support, it should always complement rather than replace human medical knowledge and expertise. By adhering to good professional practice principles, doctors can ensure that AI contributes to safer, fairer, and more effective care.
This position statement serves as a foundation for the responsible use of AI in clinical practice. It should be read in conjunction with the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners (9th Edition, 2024) and considered in conjunction with governmental guidelines and frameworks on AI use. It will be periodically reviewed in line with advancements in AI technology and regulatory developments.
Briefing Paper to Inform the Medical Council on AI in Healthcare
This paper has been researched and written for the purpose of informing the Medical Council on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine in Ireland.
Read the full Briefing Paper on AI in Healthcare here
