Health Tech News You Can Use

Delay - Deny - Defend: The Hidden Crisis of US Healthcare and Potential UK Implications

“Delay, Deny, Defend" is a well-known Healthcare insurance industry phrase about not paying out on claims. This episode examines the on-going implications of integrating artificial intelligence into health insurance systems, the potential for AI-driven claim denials to exacerbate existing healthcare inequalities. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of transparency in AI decision-making and the potential for algorithmic bias. What would be the broader economic ramifications in the UK of shifting towards a US-style insurance model?

 AI and Health Insurance: An FAQ

 

Assisted Dying and Suicide: The UK House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee Report

This report by the UK House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee examines assisted dying/suicide (AD/AS), exploring the current legal framework in England and Wales, and reviewing international experiences. The report investigates access to palliative care, considers the Government's neutral stance on legalisation, and analyses the views of various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and advocacy groups. It also examines the challenges of capacity assessment and safeguards to prevent coercion, comparing different jurisdictions' approaches and highlighting concerns regarding potential negative impacts on vulnerable groups. The report concludes with recommendations for improving palliative care access and funding in the UK.

House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide Second Report

Briefing Doc: Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide in the UK

A Study Guide: Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide in the UK: 

FAQs: Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide

 

AI in Elderly Care: A Technological Solution or Ethical Minefield?

UK care homes are increasingly using AI and smart technology to improve resident safety and care, particularly for those with dementia. Systems monitor movement, detect falls and pain, and even adjust environmental factors like air quality and lighting. While proponents highlight improved care and reduced staff workload, concerns exist about ethical implications, potential staff cuts, and over-reliance on technology in a vulnerable population. The high cost of such technology also raises questions of accessibility and equity in care provision. Finally, the article notes the need for robust regulation and oversight to prevent misuse and maintain a human-centered approach to care.

Briefing Doc: AI in UK Care Homes - A Technological Solution or Ethical Minefield?

AI in Care Homes: FAQ

Ai Defeats Doctors at Diagnosing Illness

A recent study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, revealed that the AI chatbot ChatGPT outperformed a group of doctors in diagnosing medical conditions based on case histories. The doctors, who had access to both conventional medical resources and ChatGPT, performed only slightly better than those who did not use the chatbot. The study highlighted two key findings: first, doctors often remained convinced of their initial diagnosis even when ChatGPT suggested a different and potentially more accurate diagnosis. Second, the doctors struggled to fully utilise ChatGPT's capabilities, failing to take advantage of its ability to process complex medical information and provide comprehensive diagnostic analyses. This suggests that while AI chatbots hold significant potential as tools for diagnosis, further research is necessary to understand how to effectively integrate them into medical practice and overcome the challenges of doctor-AI collaboration.

Briefing Doc: A.I. Chatbots vs. Doctors in Diagnosing Illness

AI Chatbots in Medicine: An FAQ

MY Times

Original Study

 

Revolutionising Breast Cancer Screening with AI

This episode highlights the use of artificial intelligence in breast cancer screening, focusing on the software developed by Volpara Health. Volpara's AI technology improves mammogram image quality, assesses breast density, and assists radiologists in detecting abnormalities. The software also provides patients a clearer understanding of their results through visual representations and educational resources. The episode emphasizes the importance of integrating AI ethically into healthcare to improve patient outcomes and enhance the patient experience.

Volpara Health Website

Briefing Doc: AI-Powered Breast Cancer Screening with Volpara

FAQ: Revolutionising Breast Cancer Screening with AI

Four critical considerations for Medtech companies in Europe

This episode explores the changing healthcare landscape in the UK and Europe, highlighting the challenges hospitals and medical technology (medtech) companies face. The paper identifies four critical considerations for MedTech companies operating in Europe: the need to deliver value innovation beyond clinical features, to partner with customers beyond the product, to solve prevalent problems with scalable solutions, and to use technology to support models more patient-centric. The paper argues that by embracing these considerations, MedTech companies can position themselves as strategic partners to European healthcare providers and address the region's most pressing challenges.

The episode is based on the ZS whitepaper Transforming Global Healthcare Together: Medtech’s Role in empowering providers in Europe

Briefing Document PDF

Episode FAQ Document PDF

 

 

AI-Powered Healthcare Abundance

This edition explores the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise healthcare, particularly in addressing the global doctor shortage and the overwhelming amount of data healthcare professionals face. The authors argue that equipping doctors with AI tools will be crucial but not sufficient to address the challenges of healthcare access and cost. They advocate for three key shifts: offering free AI-based primary care to increase access, integrating AI training into medical education to create a generation of AI-enabled doctors, and establishing robust frameworks for the safe and trustworthy development of healthcare AI. They highlight the need for collaboration and innovation across stakeholders to create a future of healthcare abundance, where everyone has access to high-quality care.

Article 

AI-Powered Healthcare Abundance: A Review of Key Themes and Ideas

AI in Healthcare: An FAQ

NHS's operational planning guidance for the 2024 -25

The episode outlines the organisation's priorities and objectives for the year, which aim to improve patient outcomes and experience, including recovering core services from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights key actions for systems and NHS providers to support these priorities, such as increasing capacity, improving flow, reducing waiting times, expanding access to primary care, and supporting the workforce. The document further emphasises the importance of digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and integrating care closer to home.

Briefing Document-PDF

NHS 2024/25 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance: FAQ - PDF