UHG Emergency Department launches AI Research Study to improve GP correspondence

University Hospital Galway Emergency Department launches AI Research Study to improve GP correspondence

University Hospital Galway’s (UHG) Emergency Department has announced the commencement of a pioneering study aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of GP discharge letters through artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy

The UHG study, which is in collaboration with Consultant Dr. James Foley, an Emergency Medicine Consultant in UHG, will leverage MedWrite.ai’s AI Assistant, which generates GP letters from simple voice notes recorded by clinicians to conduct a research study, to determine the efficiency and quality of AI assistance on documentation standards.

The MedWrite.ai system ensures a human-in-the-loop approach, meaning every letter is reviewed by the responsible clinician before being finalised.

This study has been made possible by funding from the Acute Pre-Admission Integrated Navigational Hub, and the HSE Spark Funding Initiative. 

Dr James Foley said “Discharge summaries play an essential role in informing GPs about a patient’s episode of care, ensuring continuity and preventing adverse events. One of the most time-consuming tasks in the emergency department is writing these post-discharge letters, and our study will evaluate whether AI can improve both their quality and efficiency.

“The department has worked closely with MedWrite.ai to develop an assistant tailored to our research needs, and we’re excited to explore its potential to inform future decisions about AI in a real-world ED setting. Any initiative that increases efficiency in this pressurised environment must be considered,” said Dr Foley.

MedWrite CEO, Sean Kirwan, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the potential of AI to support clinicians in high-pressure environments while maintaining accuracy and oversight. “Every letter remains human-reviewed, ensuring quality and safety,” he said.