Using Technology to Support Primary Care

Opinion Article by Paul Bensley, Managing Director of Primary Care Cloud Telephony Specialist X-on.
It is good to see the publication of this strategy [A plan for digital health and social care], which confirms the direction of travel set before the COVID-19, while seeking to build on the rapid adoption of technology that we saw during the pandemic.

It's particularly good to see the strategy's focus on using technology to support primary care and what it calls 'urgent and emergency care' - the services that help patients with an immediate care need that might range from a call to NHS 111 to a trip to the local pharmacy to a visit to A&E.

Read more ...

Virtual Reality App Trial Shown to Reduce Common Phobias

Results from a University of Otago, Christchurch trial suggest fresh hope for the estimated one-in-twelve people worldwide suffering from a fear of flying, needles, heights, spiders and dogs.

The trial, led by Associate Professor Cameron Lacey, from the Department of Psychological Medicine, studied phobia patients using a headset and a smartphone app treatment programme - a combination of Virtual Reality (VR) 360-degree video exposure therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Read more ...

Building the Right Foundations to Deliver a 'Digital Revolution' in Health and Care

Opinion Article by Gary Birks, Gary Birks, General Manager, UK and Ireland, Orion Health.
The latest strategy for health and care IT looks to build on what has been achieved over the past two decades, while making sure that all trusts, integrated care systems, and social care departments are levelling-up and have the right foundations to deliver a 'digital revolution'.

Read more ...

Philips Highlights AI-Powered Precision Diagnosis Portfolio at ECR 2022

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, showcases its award-winning AI-powered systems and solutions debuting at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR, July 13-17, Vienna, Austria). Philips will demonstrate how its portfolio of smart connected imaging systems and integrated radiology workflow solutions help increase diagnostic confidence and clinical outcomes; help reduce staff stress and burnout; improve patient engagement and quality access to care; and enhance efficiency to help reduce waste.

Read more ...

Siemens Healthineers Accelerates and Improves Magnetic Resonance Imaging with AI

Siemens Healthineers presents functionalities powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) that accelerate and improve Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The quality of MR imaging is defined by the trade-off between scan time, resolution and image noise. Improving one of these pillars usually requires compromising on one of the others.

Read more ...

A Machine Learning Model to Predict Immunotherapy Response in Cancer Patients

Immunotherapy is a new cancer treatment that activates the body's immune system to fight against cancer cells without using chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It has fewer side effects than conventional anticancer drugs because it attacks only cancer cells using the body's immune system. In addition, because it uses the memory and adaptability of the immune system, patients who have benefited from its therapeutic effects experience sustained anticancer effects.

Read more ...

Health Fabric and Sandwell Council Secure Healthy Ageing Challenge Funding to Tackle Health Inequalities

Digital health company Health Fabric is preparing to work with Sandwell Council after learning that it has secured support from The Healthy Ageing Challenge.

The company will work with public health experts and local communities on Healthy Sandwell programmes, following the successful bid to the "game changing" fund run by UK Research and Innovation and Innovate UK.

Read more ...

Could a Computer Diagnose Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia?

It takes a lot of time - and money - to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. After running lengthy in-person neuropsychological exams, clinicians have to transcribe, review, and analyze every response in detail. But researchers at Boston University have developed a new tool that could automate the process and eventually allow it to move online.

Read more ...

IBM Aims to Capture Growing Market Opportunity for Data Observability with Databand.ai Acquisition

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced it has acquired Databand.ai, a leading provider of data observability software that helps organizations fix issues with their data, including errors, pipeline failures and poor quality - before it impacts their bottom-line. Today's news further strengthens IBM's software portfolio across data, AI and automation to address the full spectrum of observability and helps businesses ensure that trustworthy data is being put into the right hands of the right users at the right time.

Read more ...

AI Enables Non-Invasive, Accurate Screening for Down Syndrome in the First Trimester

Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is the most common chromosomal abnormality causing developmental delay and intellectual disability and can be identified in utero. Many pregnant women seek to determine whether their fetus has this abnormality.

Now researchers from the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASIA) have developed an intelligent prediction model to achieve non-invasive screening of Down Syndrome using ultrasound image.

Read more ...