Your Patient Communications Editor
Introducing our patient communications initiative Mirada Medical continues to work on its second AI in Health and Care Award from the NHS AI Lab, a joint unit of NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care. This award has been given to support the continued adoption of our organ contouring product DLCExpert through extra clinical studies and collaboration with various hospitals across England. Whilst DLCExpert is already CE-marked and has undergone rigorous trials, our aim is to increase clinicians’ confidence in this innovative product by going above and beyond their expectations for validation, to justify its wider adoption. Another aspect of this confidence building concerns patients, as public anxiety about the use of artificial intelligence software solutions can be a substantial blocker to clinical adoption. We are seeking to inform and reassure patients about the use of artificial intelligence in their healthcare and empower clinicians to do the same.
Your Patient Communications Editor
Tom Iszatt started working for Mirada as Patient Communications Editor in December 2021. After studying object-oriented programming and audio processing as part of his Music degree at Jesus College, University of Oxford, Tom achieved a Masters in Forensic Speech Science from the University of York. This drew him towards the fields of artificial intelligence and voice biometrics, where Tom worked in software quality assurance and customer experience. In this new position, enabled by our AI in Health and Care Award from the NHS AI Lab, Tom brings together his creative expertise with his technical knowledge and communication skills. Tom is excited to break new ground and explore approaches to outreach which are not only informative but refreshing and even entertaining. He is driven to democratize knowledge about the science and technology which plays such a significant role in people’s lives, and to ensure that equitable access is open to everyone, regardless of background, gender, or race.
Why a software company needs patient communications
You may ask why a company which produces software which is exclusively used by clinicians would need to communicate with patients. Unfortunately, there is a serious lack of information on artificial intelligence in healthcare available which is pitched at a suitable level for patients and the public. This leaves space for confusion and misinformation to propagate and can present barriers for people coming forward to receive treatment. Therefore, it is very important to educate patients about our software, and about artificial intelligence in healthcare more generally. This way, any unhelpful mystique or fearmongering surrounding the technology which could distress patients is dispelled. In contrast, informed patients are better positioned to make the most of their treatment and transparency with regards to the technology allows them to put greater trust in their clinicians.
Accessibility is the goal
Tom’s mission in this role is to provide accessible, relevant, and honest information about the part that artificial intelligence plays in cancer care. The point of this outreach is to equip patients to have conversations about artificial intelligence, acknowledging both its benefits and risks, whilst debunking extreme or unfounded claims. A key aspect of this approach involves working with clinicians to extend their understanding of artificial intelligence, and to give them the tools necessary to communicate the relevant core concepts to their patients appropriately and with minimal friction. Tom has worked and continues to work with charities through talks and surveys to support patients and learn about their thoughts and concerns. Partnering with these organizations and our customers, he is producing and distributing educational content which is specifically tailored to patients’ needs. In this way, clinics can adopt our artificial intelligence software knowing that well researched resources and guidance are available to help them talk to their patients about the new technology, aimed at increasing treatment satisfaction. We are keen to collaborate with interested clinics. If you would like to get involved or want more information please contact Tom using the form below.
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