Dr Eric Topol to lead exercise as part of broader review into training needs of health service
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced a review into how NHS staff can be trained to use artificial intelligence and robotics.
It will be led by Dr Eric Topol (pictured) an expert in cardiology, genetics and digital medicine, who will look at opportunities for investment in training and consider the implications on the skills required of healthcare professionals.
The initiative is part of an independent review into the training needs of NHS staff to ensure they are equipped to give patients the latest treatments.
It will take in technologies that are not widely used but seen to have considerable potential, such as artificial intelligence (including robotics), genomics and digital medicine.
The exercise will begin with Topol visiting the Moorfields Eye Hospital, which is looking at how machine learning could help to analyse eye scans.
Enormous impact
Topol said: “While it’s hard to predict the future, we know artificial intelligence, digital medicine and genomics will have an enormous impact for improving the efficiency and precision in healthcare.
“Our review will focus on the extraordinary opportunities to leverage these technologies for the healthcare workforce and power a sustainable and vibrant NHS.”
He previously led a US research programme on using technology and data for more precise, tailored patient treatment.
Image by Juhan Sonin, CC BY 2.0
