Improving the Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence Triage in Primary Care

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? When patients contact their GP practice, the first step is to work out what kind of help they need and how quickly it's needed. This is called 'triage' and is important for patient safety. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help make triage faster. While AI is already being used in the NHS, we don't know how accurate it is or if it treats all patients fairly. WHAT WILL WE DO? We will collect anonymised data from patients that use an AI triage system called Patchs in GP practices in England. The project will last four years. We will analyse the data in four steps: 1. Look at data from GP practices using Patchs without AI triage to see how they currently triage patients and what problems they face. 2. Use data from GP practices using Patchs (both with AI on and off) to make the AI triage more accurate. 3. Check data from GP practices using Patchs with AI triage off to measure how well the updated AI system works. 4. Give the improved AI triage system to GP practices already using AI. At each step, we will check whether patients from different backgrounds are treated fairly. HOW WILL WE ANALYSE THE DATA? We will use statistical methods to compare the triage decisions made by the AI with those made by clinical staff. This analysis will also be used to check that the AI works fairly for patients from different backgrounds. WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL WE MAKE? Our research will show the problems with triage and explain how an improved AI system could help patients get the care they need more quickly.