An independent report on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, 11 February 2019
This report aims to examine
• how technological and other developments (including in
genomics, artificial intelligence, digital medicine and robotics) are likely to
change the roles and functions of clinical staff in all professions over the
next two decades to ensure safer, more productive, more effective and more
personal care for patients;
• what the implications of these changes are for the skills
required by the professionals filling these roles, identifying professions or
sub-specialisms where these may be particularly significant;
• the consequences for the selection, curricula, education,
training, development and lifelong learning of current and future National
Health Service staff.
Digital healthcare
technologies, defined here as genomics, digital medicine, artificial
intelligence (AI) and robotics.
This Review proposes three principles to support the
deployment of digital healthcare technologies throughout the NHS:
1. Patients need to be included as partners and informed
about health technologies, with a particular focus on vulnerable/marginalised
groups to ensure equitable access.
2. The healthcare workforce needs expertise and guidance to
evaluate new technologies, using processes grounded in real-world evidence.
3. The gift of time: wherever possible the adoption of new
technologies should enable staff to gain more time to care, promoting deeper
interaction with patients.
Digital technologies will have an impact on patients, carers
and the wider community, health workforce, and health service leadership.
Recommendations
