By Professor Bobby Prasad, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist
In our ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, technological advancements continue to reshape the way medical professionals diagnose, treat and care for patients. One such transformative innovation is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into gastroenterology and endoscopy.
While we know AI holds promise across various medical specialties, its application is particularly significant for its potential to streamline workflows, enhance patient experience, and drive advancements in medical equipment and techniques.
Streamlining patient consultations with AI-driven workflow automation
One of the primary areas where AI could significantly impact healthcare is in partnership with workflow automation, specifically in gathering a much more detailed patient history before a consultation with a specialist. Traditionally, patients would spend valuable time recounting their medical history, symptoms and relevant information to their consultant. However, with emerging AI-powered tools and digital platforms, this process can be automated and streamlined to better prepare clinicians for the consultation.
When in-depth pre-collected patient data is readily available, clinicians can enter consultations better informed, enabling more focus on addressing patient concerns, discussing treatment options, allowing more time for patient education and providing more personalised care. This shift from data collection to patient engagement fosters a more patient-centred and holistic approach, enabling overall better patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Harnessing data for continuous improvement and innovation
Beyond the immediate benefits in streamlining workflows and enhancing patient care, the use of AI-driven workflow automation generates a wealth of data that holds immense potential for driving further advancements in gastroenterology and endoscopy through augmented intelligence. The aggregated patient data, anonymised and analysed using AI algorithms, can provide us with valuable insights into disease patterns, risk stratification, treatment outcomes and predictive analytics.
This continuous accumulation of patient data facilitates the development of AI-driven predictive models and decision support systems, empowering clinicians to make more-informed clinical decisions and optimising treatment strategies.
By identifying trends and patterns in patient data, we also can identify areas for quality improvement or inform research initiatives and contribute to the development of better medical equipment and techniques.
Embracing a digital-first mindset for patient empowerment
As we navigate the digital transformation of healthcare, embracing a digital-first mindset to support in-person care where appropriate is paramount to realising the full potential of AI. We as clinicians can empower patients to take an active role in managing their health, enhance clinical efficiency and focus, and drive continuous improvement and innovation in patient care.
Mayo Clinic Healthcare envisions a future where the integration of AI revolutionises patient care across all specialties. As one of the leaders in the Gastroenterology Department, I am working alongside our colleagues at Mayo Clinic in the US to implement automated workflows at our clinic in the UK and explore new ways of using augmented AI to support clinicians.
By embracing innovation and collaboration, Mayo Clinic Healthcare is pioneering the use of AI to optimise healthcare, improve patient outcomes and shape the future of medicine.