AI tool reduces missed GP appointments by nearly 30%

Leeds, UK – In a breakthrough for healthcare management, artificial intelligence (AI) software developed by the Leeds-based clinical software firm TPP shows promising results in reducing the number of patients who miss their general practitioner (GP) appointments in the UK. Spearheaded by Chris Bates, the firm’s research and analytics director, this innovative AI tool has successfully decreased missed appointments by nearly 30% during its trial phase, potentially offering significant financial relief to the overstretched National Health Service (NHS).

The issue of patients not attending their scheduled GP appointments costs the NHS a staggering £216 million annually, according to recent estimates. This figure represents over one million missed consultations each month, or approximately one in every 20 scheduled GP visits. These missed appointments place additional strain on an already burdened healthcare system, exacerbated by the growing needs of an ageing population.

TPP’s AI solution employs machine learning algorithms to predict which patients are more likely to not attend their appointments. By analysing a variety of factors, including age, gender, socio-economic status, and historical appointment behaviour, the AI identifies trends and patterns. Notably, the data suggests that young men from lower socio-economic backgrounds living in and around urban areas are more prone to miss appointments. Curiously, patients residing closer to their GP practices also exhibit higher non-attendance rates, although the reasons behind this trend remain unclear.

Equipped with this predictive information, GP surgeries can adopt proactive measures to reduce no-show rates. For instance, they can issue reminders via text messages or phone calls to patients identified as likely to miss their appointments. Importantly, the system is designed to enhance patient engagement without restricting access to healthcare services based on an AI-generated profile.

Bates emphasises that the tool represents a practical application of AI in healthcare, stating, “There’s been too much hype about AI in healthcare and not enough delivery – we’re changing this. This is a brilliant exemplar of what machine learning will bring to healthcare, helping to tackle real problems for frontline teams and patients.”

A pilot programme in Norfolk has demonstrated the effectiveness of this technology. At the Trinity and Bowthorpe practice in Norwich, surgery manager Karen Bell reported a 30% reduction in their ‘Did Not Attend’ (DNA) rate since implementing the AI software. This reduction translates to hundreds of appointments retained during the pilot period, highlighting the tool’s potential to maximise healthcare resources efficiently.

Following the success of the trial, the AI system is set to be deployed more extensively across the UK, with the hope that it will help alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by the NHS while improving patient access to necessary medical consultations. As the technology rolls out nationwide, it remains a critical development in leveraging data analytics to solve real-world challenges in healthcare delivery.

Source: Noah Wire Services