Henley Business School secures £1.2 million grant for developing AI system to enhance early detection of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases
Henley Business School has received a substantial grant of £1.2 million to advance the development of a machine learning system aimed at improving early detection and referral processes for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD).
Known as RMD-Health, the AI system will undergo a pilot phase at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2026-2027 to prepare the product for regulatory approval and eventual commercialization.
The funding for this project has been generously provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Health Innovation Partnership, and Henley Business School.
RMD encompasses conditions like inflammatory arthritis, impacting up to one-third of the UK’s population and standing as a significant cause of disability.
Professor Weizi (Vicky) Li, the project lead and a professor of informatics and digital health at Henley Business School, expressed the urgency of improving the existing referral system for RMD due to the huge challenges it faces.
Professor Li stated, “Our machine-learning system offers a fresh and innovative approach to RMD referrals, providing doctors with a decision support system based on machine learning technology for more accurate and timely patient referrals, ultimately resulting in faster and more effective treatment.”
Delays in accessing referrals for RMD can lead to delayed patient access to crucial clinics and treatments, often resulting in unnecessary GP consultations.
Dr. Antoni Chan, the project’s co-lead and a consultant rheumatologist and physician at Royal Berkshire NHS FT, emphasized the project’s potential in significantly improving early detection and referral processes for RMD, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and increased efficiency in the healthcare system.
With successful experiments demonstrating the tool’s significantly higher accuracy compared to existing clinical criteria and assessments by clinicians, the project team aims to achieve regulatory approval within three years.
The collaboration between AI experts, secondary care specialists, GPs, industry stakeholders, patients, and the public will contribute to the development of a comprehensive software prototype, paving the way for the future integration of RMD-Health within the NHS.
Led by Henley Business School in partnership with various healthcare institutions and stakeholders, this groundbreaking project aims to revolutionize the landscape of RMD detection and referral processes.
Furthermore, Flok Health, an AI-powered physio clinic designed for individuals with musculoskeletal issues, is set to be introduced in the NHS by autumn 2024, with the goal of reducing physiotherapy waiting lists.
