The Accelerating the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare project was created to address the growing need for how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can and should be used in different healthcare fields. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN and Vector Institute have partnered together with the aim of transforming the mindset, skillset and toolset that the healthcare community can bring to AI-enabled practice and care.
The AI for Clinician Champions Certificate Program was specifically designed to provide learners who are practicing clinicians in Canada with working knowledge of AI, with a focus on planning or projects at a team level by diving deeper into technical concepts and learning the skills to implement AI into practice. This offering was launched in November 2021 with 52 participants.
The AI for Healthcare Leaders Certificate Program was developed for healthcare senior leaders, and covers the strategic implications surrounding planning for, implementing AI and determining organizational readiness. This program ran in January 2022 with 15 attendees, and May 2022 with 57 attendees.
Program Feedback
Early feedback from learners in both programs demonstrates an interest in the field of AI as a critical part of the future healthcare landscape. Participants in the survey for the AI for Clinicians Champions program noted that the program helped them in developing a greater understanding of AI and the different elements that need to be considered when creating and implementing AI in healthcare setting, learning about the approaches to assessing the performance of AI models, as well as considerations when integrating it into workflows. Learners reflected on the patient perspective resource by stating that it illustrated the importance of trust and transparency between clinicians and patients.
The program leads also interviewed patients, who reflected that they expect their physicians to be knowledgeable about the different AI tools available, to be transparent in how AI is used in patient care and how they’re ensuring patient data is being protected. Several participants indicated the importance of the patient-provider trust and how the technology does not surpass the trust.
The AI Innovation Hub program is another initiative that is transforming the toolset of the healthcare community. Its focus is to support clinician champions and healthcare leaders in furthering their ideas and projects for AI-enabled care, by providing an exclusive knowledge sharing and networking space with customized learning from a group of healthcare AI experts from across Canada.
During the program, there will be networking events with a closing symposium to provide space for connection and knowledge sharing. These events will feature AI-minded individuals from across Canada and will highlight the work of Innovators and Experts. The Innovation Hub platform will also provide space for Innovators and Experts to connect with one another, connect with other AI-minded individuals across Canada and access resources to further support their work. The program is anticipated to be begin in August 2022.
