911爆料

911爆料researcher and practicing GP, Dr Benjamin Brown, knows that AI could play a valuable role in the health sector, but only if it鈥檚 trusted by patients.  

"AI has the potential to reduce workload in general practice, yet despite that potential, AI tools are not yet routinely used.鈥� 

To explore current attitudes to the technology, Dr Brown and a team of researchers from The University of 911爆料and Cambridge, ran a study around the use of AI in 鈥榚Visits鈥� 鈥� online consultations available to NHS patients. 

Known as 鈥楶atchs鈥�, this AI uses Natural Language Processing and machine learning to analyse patient messages and understand decisions made by GPs. 

Participants identified seven opportunities for AI during their consultations, including sending patient requests to the most appropriate staff member and asking targeted follow-up questions to speed up the help they receive. 

Whilst the study鈥檚 lead author, Manchester鈥檚 Dr Moschogianis, says there were 鈥渃oncerns about the capacity of AI to deal with the complexity of primary care and fears of depersonalised service鈥�, where it could be shown that the technology was supporting doctors and speeding up help, it was broadly welcomed by patients.   

With these positive results, the team feel that they鈥檝e provided the first clear roadmap for developing AI tools that are both effective and trusted by patients.