DGIM and Elsevier Launch Partnership to Support AI in Internal Medicine
21 January 2026
By Ben Beier
Healthcare systems are under growing pressure: more patients, increasingly complex conditions, and less time per case. Against this backdrop, artificial intelligence is becoming ever more important. Through their new partnership, the German Society of Internal Medicine (DGIM) and Elsevier aim to demonstrate how digital technologies can meaningfully support physicians and strengthen the quality of care.
At the heart of the collaboration is the use of AI supported decision support directly in everyday clinical practice. As part of the partnership, DGIM members receive one year of access to Elsevier’s solution ClinicalKey AI, a digital tool that makes medical knowledge quickly accessible and clearly structured.
From theory to practice
Elsevier and DGIM have worked together for many years. Since 2014, Elsevier has been a corporate member of the society, which, with more than 30,000 members, is one of the largest medical scientific organisations in Europe. Until now, joint activities have focused on topics such as digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability. The new initiative takes this collaboration one step further: AI is not only discussed, but actively introduced into everyday clinical practice.
In internal medicine in particular, the need for information is high. Guidelines, studies, and new therapeutic approaches continue to evolve. For physicians, this means continuously learning, evaluating, and making decisions, often under significant time pressure. AI supported solutions can help by providing relevant information more quickly and presenting it in a clear and structured way.
Trust is essential
Studies show that while physicians are generally open to AI, they also have clear expectations: solutions must be transparent, precise, and professionally reliable. Black box solutions without traceable sources are met with scepticism. This is exactly where ClinicalKey AI comes in. The solution draws on a curated collection of guidelines, books, journal articles, and drug databases. Every answer is referenced and therefore verifiable.
An interdisciplinary panel of experts regularly reviews the quality of the content. The goal is not to replace physicians, but to support them in their responsibility with fast, structured, and evidence-based information.
Particularly valuable for early career physicians
Before the official launch in early 2026, ClinicalKey AI was tested by a group of DGIM members. Feedback was especially positive among younger internists, who value the ability to clarify complex questions more quickly and integrate new scientific developments more easily into their daily work.
For many early career physicians, the combination of medical expertise and digital tools is already second nature.
A shared look ahead
Through this partnership, DGIM and Elsevier pursue a common goal: ensuring that medicine remains evidence-based, high quality, and patient centred despite increasing demands in everyday practice. AI is not viewed as a replacement for medical expertise, but as a tool that helps make knowledge more readily available and supports more confident decision making.
The partnership is therefore more than a technical project. It signals how medical societies, science, and technology providers can work together to actively shape the future of healthcare.
Are you a DGIM member?
Register via the DGIM member page to gain direct access to ClinicalKey AI for fast, AI supported access to evidence based information in everyday clinical practice.
Not a DGIM member? You can also test ClinicalKey AI for free!
Register here to receive your personal trial access.
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