Patients in the Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department (ED) will be at the centre of a world-first research project designed to improve doctor-patient communications.
The brainchild of University of Queensland (UQ) PhD candidate Anton Cush, the Vital Story project will be the first anywhere to use artificial intelligence (AI) to obtain the medical history of non-urgent patients in an ED waiting room.
Willing patients who meet specific criteria will be provided with a touchscreen, mounted on a medical cart, and asked questions by the AI technology about their medical history.
The study will begin in the Ipswich Hospital ED on Monday 1 December and will finish once 108 patients have taken part.
Mr Cush said the purpose of the project was to test if the AI system could replicate the information that would normally be collected by treating doctors.
"The study is really about improving patient–clinician communication in emergency settings, as we know this can sometimes be a source of friction for patients, especially if they have to wait extended periods for treatment," Mr Cush said.
"The system uses artificial intelligence to help structure the patient information questions, similar to a clinical conversation.
"By providing patients with a chance to provide details to the system in their own time soon after triage, we reduce the risk of the patient’s story being lost due to wait time, anxiety or frustration.
"Findings will help shape future tools that make emergency care safer and more personal."
Mr Cush has been working with patients and clinicians to design the system and said Ipswich was "a great place to do research".
"All patients who take part can be assured of their privacy and safety, and that will be explained to them from the outset," he said.
"We really want to ensure patients have ample time to relax, share their story and talk more thoughtfully about their medical history through this study."
West Moreton Health Research Director Christopher Hicks said having the study conducted at Ipswich Hospital was an important moment for the health service.
"West Moreton Health is building a wonderful reputation around its research activities, and this is testament to that," Mr Hicks said.
"It’s been great working with Anton so far for this study and I’m looking forward to seeing the results.
"Hopefully through this study, we can make things better for both staff and patients in future."
Mr Cush said he hoped to have the results of the study collated in 2026.
The project is being supported by a UQ PhD Scholarship and Mr Cush’s PhD supervisor Associate Professor Sisira Edirippulige, from the university’s Centre for Health Services Research.