eGPLearning Podblast: Artificial Intelligence - Shownotes

 

This is a themed episode where we talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in primary care - the applications, risks and benefits to patients and clinicians.

eGPlearning Podblast is a health tech talk by two Nottingham based GPs covering recent topics, useful clinical apps, and interviews with primary care health tech innovators.

Hosted by Dr Hussain Gandhi (@drGandalf52) and Dr Andrew Foster (@drawfoster).

 

 Disclaimer  - We are not experts, but we are interested GPs, we are merely discussing our impressions, ideas and concerns and optimism in the hope that you may find this interesting.

 

Thank you:

@SonaliKinra @NottsLMC @NCGPANottm @jacey_melody @kalindikrishna @rcgpfaculties @2GPs_in_a_pod @mededbot @dme_health @karthikrishna86 @dr_zo

Update:

Andy: (1.15) - @ANorrisMP attended the practice

Gandhi: (1.38)

Thank you for electing me as @RCGP National Council representative

200 Followers on eGPlearning Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Egplearning/

#TipThursday - https://egplearning.co.uk/tag/tipthursday/

What is AI? (5.12)

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare: is the use of algorithms and software to approximate human cognition in the analysis of complex medical data. Specifically, AI is the ability for computer algorithms to approximate conclusions without direct human input.

 

When thinking about A lot of people think of Artificial General Intelligence, an artificial agent that thinks like a human, but this is thought to be a long way off.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDrDUmuUBTo

HAL 9000 from 2001 A Space Odysey is a (rather sinister) example of Artificial General Intelligence.

 

AI is a combination of key technologies…

 

Key terms, definitions and technologies:

 

The 4th industrial revolution

Deep learning, algorithms, fast processing, storage capacity and ability to collect large amounts of data are the foundations of the 4th industrial revolution - AI.

 

Logic and rules based AI…

 

“Top down approach”- system designers provide the rules for computer to follow

Simpler than more modern approaches, but this can be very powerful

Examples include: Automatic tax return software, Qrisk, FeverPain, FRAX (7.16)

Already used for prescription safety like OptimizeRX (7.30) and advice, flagging investigation results

Could be useful for automating simple tasks like processing some blood results

 

Pattern based AI...

 

Machine Learning (7.53) - see our episode with Jon Brassey

Training a machine using data sets with known outcomes

The algorithm analyses lots of data with known outcomes, makes connections - thus training the model which changes its own approach as it learns

Eventually the software look at new novel data and reach reliable conclusion

 

Deep Learning (9.20)

A key technology behind machine learning

Uses “neural networks”, inspired by neurons, to make connections between data as it learns.

Connections strengthen and weaken as it processes data and learns.

E.g. Facial recognition - Facebook, google Deepmind trouble for breaching data handling regulations (10.15) - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/03/google-deepmind-16m-patient-royal-free-deal-data-protection-act

IBM Watson tackling cancer - connects presentations with knowledge from research papers.

 

Natural Language Processing

Key technology for understanding and communicating with humans naturally

Human communication is HARD to understand

Currently humans really have to adapt their behaviour to interact with computers, unnatural things - type on keyboard, use mouse, touch screen

Once can understand human speech and communication much more data available for training algorithms - progress in AI will accelerate.

Examples include: Dictation software - already here! - Dragon (13.30), Voice assistants (12.20) https://youtu.be/_ldoV5FQn0k , translation, learning from consultation transcripts

 

Computer vision

Similar to natural language processing in unlocking image and video data to train algorithms. Potential to initially impact, Radiology, dermatology, ENT(15.07), retinal imaging.

Implications for general practice…

Will it change things quickly or slowly?...

 

Some potential benefits of AI in General Practice:

Triage and screening supporting access and effective use of resources

Support medical practice, diagnosis and treatment. Big opportunity to improve quality, consistency, safety

Supporting and caring for patients - supporting social care

Accelerating medical research - data collection, processing, more data, quicker in new ways

Drug/treatment/device development

 

Special mention for...

@BabylonHealth - They are sometimes controversial, but are a British company leading the world in Medical AI!

Babylon to be installed as standard on Samsung mobile phones https://www.ft.com/content/e7035e0c-634e-11e8-a39d-4df188287fff

Partnership in  China https://www.digitalhealth.net/2018/04/babylon-ai-technology-china-tencent/

Potential problems with AI:

Black box - does it matter if you don’t know how it works? - correlation is not causality.

Bias in data sets:

See Tay, Microsoft’s obnoxious chatbot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay_(bot) (16.40)

Normal laboratory ranges for blood tests based on young caucasian populations is a current example of potential bias due to the data used to calibrate a system.

Risk management - who is responsible

Security and privacy, data management - GDPR (https://egplearning.co.uk/ramblings/podblast/egplearning-podblast-episode-8-gdpr/)

and Genomics(https://egplearning.co.uk/ramblings/podblast/egplearning-podblast-episode-10-genomics-and-bnf/) (19.10)

Effect on Jobs?

Mass unemployment or...

New problems and needs arise as old ones are surmounted

“Computers” vs youtube vlogger - “hidden figures” film recommendations (28.34)

Taraji P. Henson - Katherine G. Johnson (29.10)

Octavia Spencer - Dorothy Vaughan (30.20)

Smallpox vs video game addiction

Potential new jobs in healthcare related to AI

Facilitating and explaining engagement with AI - Healthcare workers are complex communication experts

Training the AI

Maintaining the AI

Creativity in service design

Original thought and innovation

Focus on the right skills - creativity, innovation abilities, using and training technology

So… Are you feeling positive about AI in healthcare?

 

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