Medical Technology and Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Medical Technology in General Practice are emerging areas that have the potential to have significant impacts on the day-to-day work of the General Practitioner. While these technologies offer opportunities to enhance patient outcomes, they also introduce new complexities, risks and ethical considerations.

On completion of training, it is not expected that GPs have the skill set of a data analyst, computer scientist or engineer. However, as frontline clinicians and patient advocates, General Practitioners must play a role in the safe use of any AI and medical technology tools. A foundational understanding of how AI and medical technologies function, their limitations and their potential risks and biases is essential to enable that patient care remains person centred and evidence based. 

By the end of training, trainees should feel equipped to use emerging technologies relevant to general practice appropriately and to be adaptable in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Trainees should also feel prepared to question, evaluate and integrate emerging AI and medical technology advances into their work. It is important that GPs ensure that innovation strengthens rather than compromises the quality and safety of patient care. 

• MT1. Explain foundational principles, applications, and limitations of AI in General Practice.
• MT2. Use AI and medical technology effectively and responsibly to support clinical care.
• MT3. Critically appraise AI generated information and medical technology outputs using evidence-based methods. 
• MT4. Ensure AI tools and medical technologies are evaluated for clinical safety and clinical suitability prior to clinical adoption.
• MT5. Apply ethical, legal, and data-protection requirements in AI or medical technology supported patient care, including remaining up to date with the legislative landscape in this regard.
• MT6. Maintain high standards of cybersecurity and data governance when using AI or other medical technologies.
• MT7. Evaluate equity, bias and inclusion relating to the use of AI.
• MT8. Evaluate the environmental impact of AI.
• MT9. Communicate effectively with patients about AI and medical technology use in their care, including obtaining informed consent prior to the use of the technologies. 
• MT10. Maintain independent clinical reasoning and decision-making skills, ensuring AI and medical technology supports rather than replaces clinical judgement and avoid over reliance on any single tool.
• MT11. Continue to value and foster human connection in General Practice; maintaining person centred, compassionate care in an AI enabled practice. 
• MT12. Engage in ongoing reflective practice on the impact of AI and medical technology on patients, clinicians, equity, professional identity and healthcare systems.

Self Directed: 

AI in Healthcare – free to access online module from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland

AI for Care – The Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Healthcare in Ireland

AI Scribes Fact Sheet – RACGP

The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Irish General Practice

EU AI Act

Teaching AI Ethics – A Guide for Educators – Leon Furze – available here 

Digital for Care – A digital Health Framework for Ireland 

Generative AI for Healthcare CPD course by Trinity College

Free introduction course to EU AI Act by CeADAR (National Centre for Applied AI and the European Digital Innovation Hub for AI in Ireland)

Dr Jessica Morley – Digital Ethics Lectures 2026: ‘Beyond the Hype: Thinking Critically About AI in Healthcare’ 

BMJ AI Series of articles – introduction to the concept of triadic care, where AI is increasingly the third party in the clinician-patient encounter. 

BMJ article – clinical competencies for using generative AI in patient care. 

BMJ Article – ‘Patients are disclosing sensitive information to AI tools – clinicians must adapt’ 

Medical Council

Briefing Paper to Inform the Medical Council on AI in Healthcare 

MPS

AI Safer Practice Framework 

Medisec

The Use of Ambient AI in GP Consultations 

Data Protection Commission Guidance 

DPIA (data protection impact assessment) Template

EU AI Act – Gov.ie 

The Irish AI Bill 2026

Ireland’s national legislation implementing the EU AI Act, published February 2026

HIQA

Draft National Guidance for the Responsible and Safe use of Artificial Intelligence in Health and Social Care Services 

Workplace Based Learning

Trainees should actively consider how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and medical technologies are used within their own clinical environment. What technologies are currently in use in your workplace, and what role do they play in patient care? Who holds responsibility for their implementation, oversight, and ongoing use? Are these tools evaluated for clinical suitability, safety, and effectiveness prior to adoption, and if so, by whom?

Where medical devices are used for patient monitoring (such as ECG machines, blood pressure monitors, or pulse oximeters), trainees should understand who is responsible for their maintenance, calibration, and quality assurance. It is also important to explore whether AI is being used in any capacity within the practice and to reflect on how this may influence clinical workflows, decision-making, and patient safety. 

Day Release

A dedicated resource pack is available to support training schemes in delivering day release sessions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Medical Technology. Day release provides an ideal setting to introduce and explore key terminology, concepts, and real-world applications in a structured and interactive environment. Using a flipped classroom approach, trainees can engage with pre-session materials (such as national strategies on AI and digital health) and then contribute by presenting, teaching peers, and facilitating group discussion.

These sessions also create valuable space for trainees to share their own experiences with AI and medical technologies in clinical practice, fostering critical discussion around their benefits, limitations, and potential risks. Day release is particularly well suited to exploring broader themes, including ethical and legal considerations, data protection, cybersecurity, environmental impact, and issues of equity and bias. Importantly, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on the enduring role of the GP, ensuring that the integration of technology continues to support (rather than diminish) person-centred, compassionate care.

Registrar Tutorial

Registrar tutorials offer a valuable environment for trainees to explore AI and emerging medical technologies. Given that trainers may have varying levels of confidence and expertise in these areas, there are instances where trainees themselves may feel more knowledgeable or at ease with the subject matter. The one-to-one tutorial setting provides an ideal opportunity for open dialogue, enabling both trainee and trainer to share perspectives, raise concerns, and critically evaluate how these technologies can be integrated safely into clinical practice. It also creates a dedicated space to examine ethical considerations, including issues of patient safety, data privacy, bias, and accountability. Furthermore, these discussions can support the development of critical appraisal skills, helping trainees assess the reliability, limitations, and appropriate use of AI tools, while preparing them for responsible adoption of evolving technologies in future practice.