NBEMS free online AI course: Doctors will treat patients using AI; learn what will be taught in NBEMS's new course

The new AI course provided by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which is available to take on-line, will allow doctors to diagnose patients utilizing the latest in artificial intelligence (AI). What you will study in the new course for doctors, which is provided for free, was made known to us in an announcement by NBEMS.

It has been announced that post graduate doctors and their faculty may use AI in the future. No fee will be charged for the course according to the statement made by NBEMS within its notification. Candidates interested in participating in the course may submit applications via the official website natboard.edu.in/Sangam/index.php.

The course will last six months. There are twenty interactive on line modules, which include live on line presentations, and are designed to emphasize the ethical, safety and accountable aspects of using AI as a clinical tool. In addition, prior experience with computers, technology, or programming is not required for participation. A description of the curriculum and the format of the course, along with the individual modules, are outlined in the announcement by NBEMS. The purpose of the course is to enable physicians to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to improve diagnosis and patient care, through the application of AI.

Faculty from the following universities and institutions will provide the AI training:

• Mayo Clinic
• Harvard University
• Oxford University
• Indian Institute of Science-Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Management-Lucknow
• And many other universities around the world

Eligible participants include current NBEMS trainees, all alumni who were trained after the 2020 session, faculty of NBEMS accredited departments, and other professionals. In order to qualify for certification, participants must attend at least seventy-five percent of the live classes. Attendance will be recorded at both the beginning and end of each session. Upon completing the online modules for the assessment, participants will have earned a digital certificate of completion of the course.

How to mark your attendance

The class timetable will be available on the official NBEMS (www.natboard.edu.in) website and in turn will allow participants to access a session by clicking on the Join the Class hyperlink located on the corresponding module. Clicking the hyperlink will direct participants to the virtual classroom where attendance will be automatically logged once the session has begun. The hyperlinks will be active for 30 minutes prior to the session specified on the schedule, and the session will not be available after 30 minutes from the scheduled session time.

What will the course cover?

According to the notification, after attending this program on Artificial Intelligence in Medical Educational Courses, participants should be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of AI concepts as they apply to healthcare; therefore, this program does not require any prior knowledge of AI programming or AI technical skills. Participants will also be able to evaluate critically for Clinical Validity, Clinical Utility, Bias, and Risk to Patient Safety with regard to AI Tools, Models, and Research Literature.

Advantages for doctors:

This course stresses effective clinical decision-making. This course will help physicians evaluate whether or not to use AI as a medical tool and also other related issues such as ethical and legal issues related to Indian healthcare settings.

The participants will be able to integrate AI outputs into clinical practice through patient-centered thinking, function effectively in a multidisciplinary AI team as a domain specialist, and exhibit professionalism, accountability, and ethics in AI-assisted tools in patient care, education, and research.

Applicable to MBBS as well

According to the media report, “The aim, as stated by NBEMS President and Chairperson, Abhijat Sheth, is to enable doctors to understand, appraise, and use Artificial Intelligence safely, without encouraging them to become programmers or change their approach of thinking.” He further stated that the effort of incorporating Artificial Intelligence education in the education system of doctors is being implemented with a clear understanding of a 'phased plan, beginning with the postgraduate faculty members, moving on to the postgraduate students, followed by the undergraduate or MBBS education, and finally culminating in a local education infrastructure of Artificial Intelligence.’