As the health sector continues to embrace new technology and develop innovative new methods of delivering healthcare, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are trying to bring together industry expertise and educate researchers on the possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI).
In support of this, the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) have launched a new e-learning course designed to raise awareness and build knowledge of AI methods amongst clinical researchers looking to push boundaries and explore the potential of the latest machine learning innovations.
The Introduction To Artificial Intelligence For Clinical Researchers course has already been trialled by more than 200 users and covers a range of topics including:
- The current landscape of AI and machine learning technologies as well as how they can be utilised.
- An introduction to the evaluation metrics used to assess the performance of an AI solution as well as crucial definitions and concepts.
- An overview of different organisations able to provide support with setting up and developing an AI research study in the UK.
- Practical challenges of developing and introducing AI in healthcare, and regulatory and ethical requirements which are factored into its use.
Professor Nick Lemoine, medical director for the NIHR CRN, said: “AI is increasingly being integrated into data interpretation and assisted decision making in clinical practice, and it is important this is guided by high quality research. Gaining skills in AI is key for our researchers, and this new resource has come at just the right time.”
The programme has been developed in collaboration with Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation as well as their UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Healthcare. It is available via NIHR Learn and is available to anyone who is directly employed by a UK university, the NHS or another publicly funded organisation conducting clinical research.
Lord Ara Darzi, co-director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation, said: “In the future, artificial intelligence will be vital in enhancing our ability to apply best practice and support patients in managing their health.
“We hope this course enables clinical researchers to explore the concepts of AI in healthcare and provides inspiration to create future leaders in this expanding field.”
The NHS are constantly investigating how to expand their reach, optimise patient pathways and improve health outcomes as a result. We explored how AI could improve patient pathways in the latest edition of our online magazine – click here to read more.
