Expert advice offered by Independent SAGE, a group of scientists formed in May 2020 to provide advice on the COVID-19 response, has been analysed in a new research article. The article presents a situational analysis of the advice offered and is based on interviews with the group’s members and partners. It argues Indie SAGE showed the only way to ensure policy and decision-making on COVID-19 was grounded in knowledge was by making expert advice public. The authors argue, when science is contested, making evidence public becomes a key means of responding. It is not only pragmatic but a critical accomplishment.
Read the full article on the Sage Journals website here.
A new best practice resource has been launched by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). Tackling inequalities in care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people builds on the experiences of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. It aims to close the gap in skills and knowledge across the adult health and social care workforce. The guidance was produced after a Public Health England report found people with learning disabilities and autistic people continue to experience unacceptably poor health outcomes in comparison to the rest of the population. It was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and other charitable foundations.
Read more about the guidance and report on the SCIE website here.
A 25-year narrative review has looked at the evolution of patient-physician communication and how it has changed since the emergence of the internet. Patients have access to a breadth of health information electronically. The review says, while this has helped communication between patients and physicians, it has also led to information overload and the potential for spreading misinformation. The review concludes that future research should address the challenges associated with health IT in health communication models. Additionally, exploring how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, can support these goals may provide valuable insights for enhancing health communication.
Read more about the review via the JMIR website here.
PIF member NICE is seeking experiences of using digital technologies before clinical assessment for NHS Talking Therapies. People who have used NHS Talking Therapies are being asked to complete a survey about their experience of pre-assessment. NICE wants to hear views on digital technologies – such as online referral forms or AI-powered chatbots – used to collect information before a clinical assessment. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete and will close at midday on Friday, 7 February. Responses are anonymous.
Find the survey on the NICE website here.
Guidelines on how adults such as parents, educators or health professionals should approach a child aged 5-12 years to discuss concerns about the child's mental health and seek help have been developed. A consensus study saw experts recruited from six countries to form three panels: health professionals, educators and people with lived experience. The study highlighted how adults who live or work with children are an important source of support and are gateways to professional help when a child is experiencing a mental health problem. It also highlighted that poor mental health literacy for supporting child mental health can perpetuate stigma and be a barrier to seeking help.
Read more about the study and the new guidelines via the Wiley website here.
A recent webinar explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming eye care. Hosted by Macular Society partner OcuPlan, the event explored the benefits and challenges of using AI in eye care. Identified benefits include making care faster, more accurate and more consistent. Challenges include data quality and the potential for AI to make mistakes.
Read a summary and watch the webinar on the Macular Society website here.
A new evidence-based information resource aims to give people with dementia and their carers the information they need to live well with dementia. My Choice has been developed by the Applied Research Collaboration and Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex. It includes information based on the most up-to-date evidence available on treatments, interventions and activities that aim to help people to live well with dementia. My Choice covers a range of topics including eating well, mental health, cognitive activities, using supportive technology and planning for the future.
Read the My Choice resource booklet on the NIHR website here.
Details of the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan have been unveiled by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. Among the recommendations are proposals for the UK to invest in a supercomputer to boost computing power and a national data library to gather data held by the public sector, including anonymised health data, to support AI research and innovation.
Read more about the AI action plan via the Digital Health website here.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is hosting a webinar on how research can improve social care services for seldom-heard groups. The webinar, on 19 February, at 1pm, will bring together findings from three recent NIHR studies – safeguarding and homelessness; end-of-life care for learning disabilities; and dementia support in homecare. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session during the one-hour webinar.