How can AI reduce burden on Primary Care providers

AI is making an impact in nearly every part of our lives, from smart home devices to chat bots on most websites, and healthcare is no different. Whilst many of us can see the benefits that AI can offer, such as saving time and increasing productivity, there is still a lot of trepidation when it comes to artificial intelligence, and AI in healthcare is something that still raises concerns around security and accuracy for many people.

In this article we'll take a look into how AI is being used in healthcare, concerns around its usage, and discuss some of the ways it can enhance the care of patients by improving efficiency and saving time.

How is AI used in healthcare?

AI is already present in many aspects of healthcare, we can see examples of AI in healthcare in an article from the NHS, these include:

• Analysing X-ray images, like mammograms, aiding radiologists in making assessments.
• Supporting individuals in virtual wards which allows them to receive necessary care at home.
• Assisting clinicians in reading brain scans faster, which leads to quicker treatment and improved care quality.

Concerns around AI in healthcare.

AI is a relatively new technology that, despite its short existence, has often been enveloped in uncertainty and considerable fear. In some areas, AI remains unreliable, with regular examples of its failures appearing in mainstream media, such as badly generated images and inaccurate information from AI chat bots.

In a world where our well-being and personal information is on the line, using tools that might be unsafe and inaccurate would be unacceptable. This is why AI used in sectors that deal with sensitive data must reach certain standards.

That is why in order for AI tools to meet NHS-approved regulations, they must adhere to stringent security and privacy standards. These tools also need to meet medical device regulation and compliance standards, ensuring that all medical devices adhere to the proper regulatory compliance laws, and UKCA marking, which demonstrates conformity with the requirements for products sold within Great Britain.

Because of the rigorous set of regulations and standards that medical tools need to adhere to, users can be assured that AI software approved by the NHS is safe to use in healthcare settings and doesn't pose a risk to patient care.

Benefits of AI in healthcare.

We all know GPs are over stretched, with a high demand for appointments, and lacking the budget to match these demands. They need all the help they can get to reduce workload and efficiently deliver high quality care to patients.

This is where AI can help. Using smart tools designed to deal with a high number of patient requests can alleviate some of the burden on GP practice staff.

Patchs Online Consultation System has been designed by GPs, for GPs, and harnesses AI in a responsible and safe way to get patients where they need to be faster, resulting in happier patients and more manageable workloads for GP staff.

The functions of AI in Patchs.

Patchs AI Care Navigator is a new feature that leverages the existing AI tools within Patchs, enabling practices to customise their outcomes. For instance, a patient with knee pain could be directed to book directly with a local physiotherapist, while someone with a sore throat might be advised to contact Pharmacy First. This approach helps patients get the care they need more quickly and reduces unnecessary appointments.

It operates through the following functions:

Urgency AI automatically flags the patient requests raised online or via Telephone Assistant as urgent as soon as they come through. This immediate recognition allows healthcare providers to prioritise critical cases, thereby reducing response time. Traditionally this decision to flag a request as urgent would be made by a member of reception staff, allowing for human error and inconsistency.

Additionally, the Signpost AI functionality effectively directs patients towards self-care options, NHS 111, or emergency services as appropriate. This not only reduces the burden on healthcare providers by alleviating unnecessary consultations, but also empowers patients to make informed decisions about their care.

The Topic AI feature further enhances this process by analysing patient requests to identify clinical topics. This proactive measure can engage patients through additional questions to gather more information, advice or signpost messages, or self-book appointment forms.

For cases requiring clinical input, the Assign AI system efficiently routes requests to a 'Clinical' inbox. This ensures that healthcare professionals can focus on providing care where it's essential while maintaining the workflow of non-critical cases.

Face-to-Face (F2F) AI identifies requests that require in-person consultations. By highlighting these cases, GPs can ensure that patients are booked in sooner, improving overall satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans.

Conclusion.

Whilst AI is still evolving and this can be daunting for some, it is a tool that, when used correctly, can be implemented by primary care providers to improve patient care and reduce pressure put on staff.

If you'd like to learn more about Patchs, how it uses AI functionality, and how it can benefit your practice, please check out our Patchs home page where you can contact a member of our team.

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