β‘ Quick Summary
Henley Business School has secured a Β£1.2 million grant aimed at developing a machine learning platform designed to enhance the early detection and referral processes for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD).
π‘ Key Features and Objectives
- π Project Name: The AI system, named RMD-Health, will be piloted at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust between 2026 and 2027.
- π° Funding Sources: The grant is provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and the Health Innovation Partnership.
- π Target Population: RMD affects up to one-third of the UK population and is a significant contributor to disability.
π©ββοΈ Expert Insights
Professor Weizi (Vicky) Li, the project lead and a professor of informatics and digital health at Henley Business School, stated:
- βThe annual cost of sick leave and work-related disability for rheumatoid arthritis alone is estimated at Β£1.8 billion, highlighting the urgent need for improvement in the current referral system.β
- βOur machine-learning system offers a novel approach to RMD referrals, allowing for more accurate and timely patient referrals, which can lead to faster and more effective treatments.β
π Addressing Current Challenges
- β οΈ Referral Accuracy: Between 2019 and 2021, GPs had only 40% accuracy in early inflammatory arthritis referrals, placing a heavy burden on secondary care clinicians.
- β³ Delays in Treatment: Current delays in referrals often lead to repeated consultations with GPs and hinder timely access to appropriate treatments.
π Project Goals and Collaboration
Dr. Antoni Chan, project co-lead and consultant rheumatologist at Royal Berkshire NHS FT, emphasized:
- βThis innovative project marks a significant advancement in early RMD detection and referral, promising better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.β
- βThe tool has shown significantly higher accuracy than existing clinical criteria during trials.β
π Collaborative Efforts
The project involves collaboration among:
- Henley Business School
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- RBFT Health Data Institute
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Health Innovation Oxford
- Integrated Care Boards across Thames Valley, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West
- Patient leaders and public stakeholders
π Future Developments
With the grant, the team anticipates being on track for regulatory approval within three years, paving the way for the integration of RMD-Health into the NHS.