A study by scientists from the University of Gothenburg shows that a software robot can detect side effects that can occur during drug treatment of heart rhythm disorders faster than doctors. In addition, the software robot also helps to reduce the number of additional laboratory tests and checks.
The software robot that was studied used a proprietary, guideline-based method to automate and simplify the monitoring and evaluation of side effects during treatment with the drug amiodarone. This drug is used to treat patients with heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation and tachycardia. Because the side effects of this drug, which can affect thyroid and liver function, are difficult for doctors to recognize, patients have to report regularly for additional blood tests.
Software robot recognizes side effects
With their study, the Swedish scientists wanted to develop and validate a non-AI-based software robot that follows current healthcare guidelines. The robot was programmed to find suitable patients from an administrative list, compare their test results with an algorithm and present a recommended course of action to the treating cardiologist. Once the doctor had made his treatment decision, the robot itself scheduled the next appointment for blood tests and added it to the administration.
In the study, the robot's capabilities were paralleled with the treatment of existing patients. In fact, the software robot 'in the background' monitored doctors without informing them or the patients. The two processes - the actual treatment and test frequency proposed and performed by the doctors and that of the software robot - were subsequently compared with each other. This allowed the researchers to determine the possible added value of the software robot.
Clear results
The robot's ability to perform routine assessments was compared with doctors' orders in 390 situations and the results were clear. On average, the software robot recommended an interval between laboratory tests of 4.5 months, which is fully in line with standard practice. The doctors prescribed an average interval of 3.1 months. Based on the patients’ blood tests, the robot found 12 side effects on the first attempt. The doctors discovered eight during the first test and the rest during later tests.
The researchers believe that the automated process, aided by a software robot and a diagnostic classification algorithm, is a technically and medically reliable option for monitoring amiodarone treatment and, by extension, other drug treatments.
“The method was shown to reduce manual work, reduce the frequency of laboratory tests and improve the detection of side effects. It would therefore likely reduce healthcare costs and at the same time increase value for patients,” says Helén Sjöland, adjunct professor of cardiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg and physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The results of the Swedish study were published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
