Clinical decision support systems at the intersection of technology and ethics: a critical analysis of the ethical guidelines issued by the German Medical Association

  • The statement “Decision Support in Medical Practice through Artificial Intelligence,” (German: “Entscheidungsunterstützung ärztlicher Tätigkeit durch Künstliche Intelligenz”) by the Central Ethics Commission at the German Medical Association critically evaluates the implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) from medical, ethical, and legal standpoints. While the statement highlights numerous advantages and challenges inherent in the use of AI in healthcare, it remains vague, particularly concerning the assignment of accountability, the delineation of professional responsibility, and the technical feasibility of integrating these systems in real-world clinical workflows. In the present paper, we scrutinize the statement from both philosophical and technical angles, offering concrete proposals aimed at clarifying the ethical ambiguities while also addressing the technological constraints that currently impede widespread adoption. By doing so, we aim to criticallyThe statement “Decision Support in Medical Practice through Artificial Intelligence,” (German: “Entscheidungsunterstützung ärztlicher Tätigkeit durch Künstliche Intelligenz”) by the Central Ethics Commission at the German Medical Association critically evaluates the implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) from medical, ethical, and legal standpoints. While the statement highlights numerous advantages and challenges inherent in the use of AI in healthcare, it remains vague, particularly concerning the assignment of accountability, the delineation of professional responsibility, and the technical feasibility of integrating these systems in real-world clinical workflows. In the present paper, we scrutinize the statement from both philosophical and technical angles, offering concrete proposals aimed at clarifying the ethical ambiguities while also addressing the technological constraints that currently impede widespread adoption. By doing so, we aim to critically evaluate the governmental document against practical realities and bridge the gap between theoretical possibilities and practical applicability, thereby fostering a more nuanced and responsible use of AI in contemporary medical practice.show moreshow less

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Metadaten
Author:Paula ZiethmannORCiDGND, Miriam EliaORCiDGND, Fabian StielerORCiDGND, Bernhard BauerORCiDGND, Julia WelzelORCiDGND, Kerstin Schlögl-FlierlORCiDGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:bvb:384-opus4-1199692
Frontdoor URLhttps://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/119969
ISSN:2731-4669OPAC
Parent Title (English):Digital Society
Publisher:Springer Nature
Type:Article
Language:English
Year of first Publication:2025
Publishing Institution:Universität Augsburg
Release Date:2025/03/11
Volume:4
First Page:15
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44206-025-00175-w
Institutes:Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät
Fakultät für Angewandte Informatik
Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät / Systematische Theologie
Fakultät für Angewandte Informatik / Institut für Informatik
Medizinische Fakultät
Fakultät für Angewandte Informatik / Institut für Informatik / Lehrstuhl für Softwaretechnik
Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät / Systematische Theologie / Lehrstuhl für Moraltheologie
Medizinische Fakultät / Universitätsklinikum
Fakultät für Angewandte Informatik / Institut für Informatik / Lehrstuhl für Softwaretechnik / Professur Softwaremethodik für verteilte Systeme
Medizinische Fakultät / Lehrstuhl für Dermatologie
Dewey Decimal Classification:6 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 61 Medizin und Gesundheit / 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
Licence (German):CC-BY 4.0: Creative Commons: Namensnennung (mit Print on Demand)