Explainmed
AI technology making doctor's reports understandable to all
Forcit and ExplainMed
Doctor's reports often include jargon that often prevents the patient from understanding their own health. But there will soon be a tool for that that uses artificial intelligence to turn these medical reports into simple explanations for the patient.
Doctors often use medical jargon during a consultation. Consequently, the patient does not always understand what the doctor is saying, or has difficulty remembering the explanation. Medical reports are also often not clear to the patient. "As a result, patients do not always follow the prescribed therapy and are less engaged, resulting in further health damage and increasing health costs," according to Marie Verougstraete of the NextGenics company. "This is why we are working on a solution where we help patients better understand their own medical situation."
Commissioned by the company NextGenics, we are developing an online tool that converts doctor's reports into simple language. The tool will use artificial intelligence (AI) for this purpose and is being developed together with independent Forcit experts and knowledge institutions such as Karel de Grote Hogeschool and Ghent University.
The two-year pilot project focuses on cardiovascular disease. Patients scan the doctor's report and the software converts it into clear language using artificial intelligence (AI). Patients can point to medical terms to get a brief explanation and can access a frequently asked questions section. The big difference from Google is that you don't have to look up every word individually and the explanations are medically validated, personalized and reliable. The software will also link to reliable websites such as Health and Science, also a partner in this project. Importantly, the tool is very easy to use for everyone.
In developing the software, researchers are working with heart patients. They will share their doctor reports anonymously with the project to train the AI system. In addition, heart patients and those close to them will provide advice in designing the tool.
The developers and researchers' ambition is to further expand the tool to other medical fields and other languages. "In this way, we also want to eventually contribute to the challenges around multilingualism and inclusiveness in healthcare."
Simple and reliable?
Follow-up
The idea and the first prototype came about during Comon, an innovative living lab with citizens in Ghent. Comon is an open laboratory where scientists and technologists work together with citizens of Ghent. They devise and test technological solutions on a human scale. Forcit was also involved in this, view the previous project/case of Comon.
Marie Verougstraete of the company NextGenics participated in Comon's living lab to make healthcare "better understood. She enrolled and became one of the inventors during Comon's mini living labs. The end result was a first working prototype in collaboration with Forcit experts, which can convert a medical report into simple language. The mobile app is still in its infancy, but thanks to the support of "Amai!" the translation will be done through artificial intelligence, allowing for much faster development.
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Are you a patient, physician or healthcare facility and want to participate in this project? This innovation project is looking in abundance for people who experience this problem and want to test it.
Explainmed selected for Amai!
€125,000 support from Flemish government
This project is one of five winners of "Amai!", an initiative that involves citizens in the development of social AI applications. The enthusiasm and involvement of citizens highlights the social relevance of this project. In addition to the support from 'amai Flanders,' the project is funded with €125,000 support from the Flemish Government as part of the Flemish AI Action Plan.
More info: website Amai!
Pathways: Grant it, Build it
Minimum workable product
2 Independent experts
Collaboration via: Forcit platform
Subscribing to SDG: Good health and well-being
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