RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Improving the Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence Triage in Primary Care

This research aims to improve how GP surgeries in England use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to decide how urgently patients need help, a process called 'triage'. Currently, when you contact your GP, someone works out what care you need and how quickly. AI can speed this up, but we need to know how accurate it is and if it treats everyone fairly. We'll collect anonymous data from GP practices using an AI system called Patchs, then use this information over four years to make the AI better and ensure it works well for people from all backgrounds. The goal is to help patients get the right care more quickly.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Manchester

Enrolment target

226,821

Start

01 Apr 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2029

Primary Care Artificial Intelligence (AI)

What is this study about?

When you contact your GP surgery, the staff first decide how quickly you need help and what kind of support is best for you. This important process is called 'triage'. It makes sure you get the right care at the right time, and helps the surgery manage its resources safely.

Increasingly, GP surgeries are using online tools and even Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help with triage. AI can potentially make this process faster, which could mean you get the advice or appointment you need sooner. However, we don't yet fully understand how accurate these AI systems are, or if they treat all patients fairly, regardless of their background or needs. This study aims to answer these crucial questions.

Over four years, our research team will look at anonymous information from GP surgeries in England that use an AI triage system called Patchs. We will use this real-world data to: first, understand the current challenges in triage; second, improve the AI system to make it more accurate and fair; and third, carefully check that these improvements work as expected. The main goal is to develop an improved AI system that can help your GP surgery provide better, faster, and fairer care when you need it.

Key takeaways

The study aims to improve how GP surgeries decide who needs care and how quickly.
It focuses on using and improving Artificial Intelligence (AI) for this process, called 'triage'.
Researchers will study anonymous data from GP practices using the 'Patchs' online system.
The goal is to make AI triage more accurate and to ensure it treats all patients fairly.
There's no direct patient involvement, so no extra appointments or treatments for individuals.
Ultimately, the research hopes to help patients get the right care faster.

Who may be eligible?

This study is focused on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems work within GP practices. Therefore, the main eligibility criteria relate to the GP practices themselves, rather than individual patients.

Specifically, the researchers will be collecting and analysing anonymous data from GP practices that are already using (or have used) the 'Patchs' online consultation system. This system can include an AI triage feature, which is what the study is looking to improve.

So, if your GP practice uses the Patchs system, your anonymised data might contribute to this research, although you won't be directly participating as a patient volunteer in the way you might in a drug trial. The study aims to improve the systems that GP practices use to help all their patients.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Does your GP practice use an online system called 'Patchs'?
Do you use your GP's online forms?
Are you interested in how technology can improve healthcare?
Are you happy for your anonymous data to contribute to research?
Are you in England?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is different from a typical medical trial because it's not about individuals taking a new medicine or undergoing a treatment. Instead, researchers will be looking at large amounts of anonymous data from GP practices that use the 'Patchs' online system. This means that as a patient, you won't be asked to do anything extra, attend appointments, or take any medication for this study.

Your involvement, if your GP practice uses the Patchs system, would be indirect. The study will analyse anonymised historical information about how patients contact their GP and how their needs were triaged. This data won't identify you personally. The project will last for four years in total, during which the AI system will be developed and tested based on this collected data. There is no direct follow-up for individual patients.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this study involves analysing anonymous data from GP practices rather than direct patient involvement with treatments, there are no direct physical or psychological risks to you as a patient. Your personal information will not be identified. The potential benefit is that the research could lead to an improved AI triage system for GP practices, helping you and other patients get appropriate care more quickly and fairly in the future. As you are not directly participating, there is no 'right to withdraw' in the traditional sense, but all data used will be fully anonymised.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

NHS GP practices
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'triage'?

Triage is the process where your GP surgery decides what kind of help you need and how quickly you need it when you contact them.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this study?

AI refers to computer systems that can help GP surgeries make decisions about triage, like deciding whether a patient needs to be seen urgently.

Will my personal information be used?

No, all the data collected and used in this study will be completely anonymous, meaning it won't identify you personally.

How long will this study last?

The research project will last for four years, during which the AI system will be developed and improved.

What is the main goal of this research?

The main goal is to make AI triage systems more accurate and fairer, helping patients get the care they need more quickly from their GP surgery.

How to find out more

Benjamin C Brown, MRCGP, PhD

benjamin.brown@manchester.ac.uk +44 161 306 9966 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.