Priority area 2: Workforce

Equip and uplift the workforce

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Equipping the workforce* with the skills and capabilities to effectively develop, integrate and manage AI is essential for its successful and safe adoption across NSW Health.

An engaged and well-prepared workforce ensures AI systems are used responsibly, ethically and efficiently to complement human expertise and improve outcomes.

* Workforce is used throughout this framework to describe all personnel who are engaged by NSW Health, including contingent workers, students on clinical placements, visiting medical officers, etc.

Principles

Retain human insight and oversight

AI systems should complement, not replace, the unique knowledge and skills of workforce personnel, such as delivering care, critical thinking and managing difficult conversations.

  • Apply human oversight and judgement to the design and use of AI systems at all times, including through appropriate and fit-for-purpose AI governance.
  • Ensure the right personnel understand enough about the relevant AI system to use it safely and effectively, and can identify concerns and appropriately escalate them.
  • Co-design and implement new AI systems within the context of teams, work design and the workforce.
  • Recognise AI systems will enhance, not replace, key workforce attributes or clinical decision making.

Build capability

Workforce personnel should be equipped with the necessary skills and training to competently use AI systems.

  • Foster a digitally capable workforce through ongoing AI literacy training, and role-specific AI training.
  • Provide the workforce with access to the best education to ensure it has the confidence, knowledge and capacity for using AI safely, responsibly, and in accordance with law.
  • Recognise the workforce plays a crucial role in capturing quality data and monitoring AI systems, and is responsible for addressing concerns.

Support AI readiness

Accessible support and resources should be available to workforce personnel to ensure effective and appropriate adoption of AI.

  • Encourage informed and critical use of AI by the workforce in appropriately designed workflows.
  • Foster acceptance and adopt change management strategies.
  • Ensure adequate guidance and assistance to personnel with minimal disruptions to existing workflows.
  • Engage early with personnel in relation to when and how AI systems may impact their work.

Policy and guidance

Below are the key considerations for integrating AI, along with current policies and guidance that outline healthcare and technology obligations for the workforce.

Key considerations

Current policies and guidance

Build and retain AI skills and capabilities

NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Describes the capabilities and associated behaviours expected of NSW public sector employees.
Source: NSW Government Public Service Commission

Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
The SFIA is a global standard that defines digital and other ICT-related skills. The guide supports the full range of workforce management and development activities.
Source: Australian Public Service Commission

Australian Digital Health Capability Framework
A standard framework for digital health capabilities for people working in healthcare.
Source: Australian Digital Health Agency

A Common Understanding: Simplified AI Definitions from Leading Standards
Provides simplified definitions and establishes a common understanding of several AI terms for professionals at all levels of familiarity with AI across the NSW Government.
Source: Digital NSW

Professional responsibilities

Meeting Your Professional Obligations When Using Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
An overview of the responsibilities of health professionals when using AI tools.
Source: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

Understanding Responsibilities in AI Practices
Guidance for understanding roles and responsibilities to ensure responsible AI practices.
Source: Digital NSW

Generative AI: Basic Guidance
Provides guidance for using generative AI tools for the NSW Government. It outlines responsible, safe, and ethical practices for working with these tools.
Source: Digital NSW

Practice

Practice areas

Considerations

AI training and education

  • Explore the opportunity for internal and external partners to provide specific AI training to the workforce, relevant to roles and functions
  • Work across disciplines with local departments, such as library, organisational development and capability teams, and digital health services teams
  • Ensure workforce personnel can easily interact with the AI system and improve current workflow efficiencies
  • Ensure personnel receive appropriate training to use AI systems in relevant roles and functions

Workflow and organisational changes

  • Evaluate how the AI system will impact existing operations or inform the design of future operations
  • Identify the efficiencies in communication and overall healthcare delivery

Clinical accountability

  • Ensure workforce personnel are aware they are responsible for delivering safe, quality care; and ensuring their own practice meets professional obligations. This includes overseeing any AI system used in the course of their role
  • Determine clinical accountabilities specific to the AI system to ensure expectations around the use of AI are transparent
  • Apply human judgement to any AI systems and apply appropriate governance

Challenges and opportunities

When used and governed well, AI presents opportunities for the workforce to enhance efficiency, improve decision support and reduce administrative burden, allowing more time for patient care.

With good access to education and training, all workforce personnel can be informed and benefit from potential solutions. Providing adequate support and change management will also ensure successful uptake and adoption of AI systems for all personnel.

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