Use of AI in Osteopathic Practice

Find the latest draft by OCNZ for how AI is used in osteopathy NZ

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Below is a clear, side-by-side summary of what the current regulations and best practices mean for the use of AI tools such as Splose and Heidi for osteopaths (or other clinicians) operating outside of Health New Zealand.

Entering Patient Data into AI Tools

Permitted with Safeguards: Clinicians may use AI tools if they comply with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020. This includes obtaining informed consent, ensuring data security, and following professional standards.

Use for Clinical Decisions or Personalised Advice

Permitted as Administrative Support: AI can assist with documentation and admin, but the clinician remains responsible for all clinical decisions and must review all AI-generated outputs. AI should not replace clinical judgment.

Consent Requirements

Mandatory: Informed consent from patients is required before using AI tools for scribing or handling their data. Consent should be documented.

Privacy & Security

Strict Compliance Required: Must follow NZ privacy laws (Privacy Act 2020, IPPs). Ensure data is encrypted, access is controlled, and data is not used for secondary purposes without consent.

Responsibility for Documentation

Clinician Remains Responsible: The practitioner must review, edit, and approve all AI-generated notes. Responsibility for accuracy and care cannot be delegated to the AI tool.

Organisational Policy

Must follow any additional policies of the organisation or professional body. If self-employed, must ensure own compliance with privacy and ethical standards.

Cultural and Community Considerations

Should consider Te Tiriti o Waitangi, engage with Māori about data use, and ensure AI tools are suitable for NZ context.

Tool Approval/Registration

Tools like Heidi are not regulated as medical devices but must comply with privacy and security standards. Clinicians should ensure tools are fit for purpose and compliant.

 

Permitted to use AI tools for clinical documentation and administrative support, provided:

• They obtain and document informed patient consent.

• They comply with the Privacy Act 2020 and relevant health information codes.

• They maintain responsibility for reviewing and approving all AI-generated documentation.

• They ensure robust data privacy and security practices are followed.

• They consider cultural, ethical, and organisational requirements.

• AI tools like Heidi and Splose are not medical devices but must be used in a way that aligns with professional and legal standards.

Osteopaths and other clinicians outside Health NZ: May use these AI tools as long as they comply with privacy law, obtain informed consent, ensure data security, and retain clinical responsibility for documentation and care.

 

The final responsibility for all professional and medical decisions related to patient diagnosis, advice, treatment or the quality or accuracy of medical notes rests solely with the medical practitioner”.

“Organisations using AI tools must comply with their statutory obligations under the Privacy Act, including the 13 IPPs”.

“If an osteopath is using Generative AI to record consultations, informed consent is required, before proceeding with use of the tool. This should be clearly recorded in the health records”