Using AI in pelvic physiotherapy practice - practicalities and privacy considered
Across Physio (and other allied health and medical) clinics in Australia, the use of AI programs for client note taking and report writing are gaining popularity fast with the main reported benefits being huge time saving advantages and reduced administrative burdens, allowing clinicians to focus on what they do best - providing excellent patient care.
However, amongst the many early adopters who swear by this technology, not only for the time saving benefits but for the quality of the reports and letters produced, there are others whom are wary of utilising AI technology mainly for fears over privacy. This is especially a concern in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy as we are dealing with very personal and sensitive information.
In our experience, most pelvic physios currently utilising AI platforms at present are doing so in the following ways:
1. A treatment session is recorded via an AI program and then transcribed into a draft of your clinical note for the session.
2. From the clinical notes, a Patient Summary and letter to medical professional can be drafted.
Having these tasks automated saves the clinicians who use these programs, a reported ‘hours every week’ and has given a boost to job satisfaction for those the felt previously weighed down by the admin burden of note and letter writing.
However, many are still hesitant to adopt due to several key privacy concerns and considerations that come into using AI programs for clinical note transcription and letter writing. These concerns are valid and it is crucial to ensure and technology used with patients can demonstrate compliance with Australian privacy laws and also maintain patient trust.
If you’re not sure whether AI is right for you, we explore some privacy and security considerations you should take into account before moving ahead:
Data Security and Encryption: Ensure that AI programs used for clinical note transcription and letter writing employ robust encryption methods to protect patient data both during transmission and storage. Encryption helps prevent unauthorised access and ensures that patient information remains confidential.
Compliance with Australian Privacy Principles (APPs): The Australian Privacy Principles, established under the Privacy Act 1988, govern the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by Australian entities. Health professionals must ensure that AI programs comply with these principles, which include requirements for handling sensitive health information appropriately.
Informed Consent: ALWAYS let your patients know what you are doing, and obtain informed consent from patients before using AI programs for clinical recording and documentation. Patients should understand how their health information will be used, stored, and protected by AI technologies. Transparent communication about the benefits and potential risks associated with AI use is essential.
Data Storage and Retention Policies: Ensure that AI programs adhere to best practices for data storage and retention. Patient data should be stored securely for only the time that it is needed on servers (that comply with Australian standards for data protection). Clear policies on data deletion, once the information is finished being used by the clinician, should be established and followed.
As physios, some of us might be perplexed to understand how encryption works and whether an AI program meets the security standards we desire. Our tip here is to ask lots of questions, and keep asking until you feel satisfied with the response from the AI platform. Many AI developers will spend time showing you a demonstration of their program so you can understand how it works and should be able to show you how they comply with privacy and security standards.
If you choose to go ahead you can also take additional measures whilst using AI programs to protect patient privacy by avoiding entering personal identifying factors into AI programs and sticking to first name only throughout a consult.
All considered, it is up to you to decide if AI is right for you, and your clients. Remember to always advise your clients of your intention to use AI if you choose to do so, and obtain their consent. Keep up to date with advancements in technology and privacy regulations and good luck!