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Call for more information on kidney cancer; The role of librarians in tackling misinformation; AI services for people with long term conditions

Your weekly round up of the latest news, studies and views for professionals working in health information (5 February 2025).

Annual report highlights lack of information throughout treatment pathway

Kidney Cancer UK has published its 11th annual Patient Survey Report. The report says there is inadequate follow-up throughout the kidney cancer treatment pathway, with many patients complaining about a lack of information and support. It says kidney cancer clinics are not reaching out to other agencies and organisations for help providing information and support that the NHS cannot. The report makes a number of recommendations including:

  • Kidney cancer units should make sure they can satisfy patients’ information needs no matter what medium is chosen by the patient, by either providing easily accessible NHS kidney cancer information across all media or signposting to reputable external sources such as charities.
  • To facilitate patient informed participation in shared decision-making and particularly when obtaining informed consent, clinics should ensure patients have been provided with, or given access to, all information that could influence their decision.

Read the full report via the Kidney Cancer UK website here.

Study: The role of medical librarians in combating misinformation

A new study investigates how health librarians can combat misinformation. The study analysed data collected from interviews with 25 library professionals. It found “lack of reliable information” and “lots of gossip” were considered the main reasons for spreading misinformation. The study led to the identification of four roles for health librarians to manage misinformation – educational, evaluation, information counselling and research. Researchers recommend establishing secure channels for sharing accurate information. They added it is essential that libraries’ experiences and lessons learned during the pandemic or similar crises are systematically documented.

Read more about the study via the Sage Journals website here.

AI services for people with long-term conditions or disabilities

A plan to leverage technology and artificial intelligence (AI tools) to streamline public services has been announced by the government. A new team will start by looking at services offered to people with long term health conditions or disabilities who potentially have to interact with more than 40 different services provided across nine organisations. Solutions will be piloted with local health agencies later this year. The aim is to help people access the right services at the right time. A new package of AI tools – nicknamed Humphrey – will also be available to civil servants in an effort to modernise tech and deliver better public services.

Find out more about the shake-up on the Gov.UK website here.

New technologies can build on the humble text message

In this article, written for the Journal of Medical Internet Research's 25 Years of Digital Health Excellence issue, the authors argue text messaging has played a pivotal role in the advancement of mobile health. The article looks at how text messaging has successfully delivered health information and behaviour change support due to its simplicity, accessibility and adaptability for diverse populations. The authors concluded that, while new technologies emerge, text messaging remains relevant and can serve as a foundation for building digital health solutions in the future. They added that there is significant potential to update the simple text message – not by replacing it but by adding to the power of it.

Read the full article on the JMIR website here.

Personal health record set to expand

A patient health record platform is set to grow in the UK and expand internationally. Patients Know Best (PKB) has secured £6 million in funding to scale its personal health record (PHR) platform. The PHR enables patients to access and use their health information and is integrated with the NHS App. It has more than 4.7 million registered patients and releases more than 20 million test results every month. 

Find out more about the PKB funding via the Digital Health website here.

Family calls for antidepressant prescription change

The parents of a man who took his own life are calling for a change in how patients are prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) – a widely used antidepressant. Thomas Kingston had stopped taking his medication, which had been prescribed by a GP, in the days leading up to his death. His parents, Martin and Jill Kingston, believe both the patient and those close to them should be told more explicitly about the potential side effects of the medication, including what can happen if they stop taking it. The couple want patients to sign a document confirming they've been told about the difficulties of going on and coming off the medication. 

Read the full story via the BBC website here.

Event: Annual lecture looks at what AI might mean for our health

An annual lecture organised by The Health Foundation will explore the opportunities and risks in using AI technology to deliver heath for the nation. The fifth REAL Challenge annual lecture is a hybrid event which will take place at the Royal College of Physicians. Keynote speaker Hetan Shah, chief executive of the British Academy, will warn of the risk of rushing to unleash technology. He will assess what is needed to ensure AI gives people what they want and need to improve their health. Attendees can register to attend in-person or to watch the live stream remotely. 

Find out more and register for the lecture via The Health Foundation website here.

See also