OntarioMD (OMD) has introduced new online Privacy and Security Training for the Healthcare Sector, updated to address the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by clinicians. The redesigned course offers practical information and resources for safely using AI tools in medical practice.
Addressing Administrative Burden with AI
Dr. Chandi Chandrasena, Chief Medical Officer of OntarioMD, noted that administrative burden remains a significant challenge across the health system, especially for family physicians. Physicians are eager to explore technologies that can help, but they need confidence in protecting patient privacy and meeting regulatory responsibilities.
AI scribes are emerging as a promising solution to reduce administrative workload by generating clinical notes during patient visits. This technology allows clinicians to focus more on patient care by minimizing documentation time.
Comprehensive Training on Privacy and Security
OMD’s Privacy and Security Training for the Healthcare Sector is a comprehensive online course covering key privacy and cybersecurity concepts for clinicians in community and hospital settings. The curriculum includes:
- Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
- Obligations of Health Information Custodians (HIC) for personal health information (PHI)
- Dos and don’ts for protecting PHI from security incidents and breaches
- Legal and professional obligations related to AI tool use
- Cybersecurity tips and scenarios based on real-world clinician experiences
The updated course provides essential guidance for clinicians who are interested in AI’s potential but cautious about patient data and security implications.
Survey Highlights Privacy Concerns
A recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found that 49% of respondents identified medico-legal and privacy risk as the most prominent concern about adopting AI scribes.
Ariane Siegel, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer of OMD, emphasized that while AI can free up valuable time for physicians, understanding the privacy, security, and governance requirements for using these tools in clinical practice is essential.
Encouraging Safe AI Adoption
OMD encourages physicians, nurse practitioners, and clinic teams interested in AI-enabled technology to complete the course to ensure safe and responsible adoption of these innovations.
Clinician Feedback
Dr. Loredana D., a family physician, praised the training: “As clinicians, we’re navigating rapid changes in digital health, and with already busy workloads, it’s challenging to ensure we’re integrating new AI tools safely. OMD’s Privacy and Security courses take the guesswork out of that process – the new course is relevant, practical, and aligned with the realities of clinical practice today.”
