Milton Keynes University Hospital trials AI to streamline appointments

Milton Keynes University Hospital's (MKUH) Ophthalmology department is trialling a new conversational AI assistant called Dora to streamline outpatient appointments.

Taylor Grote/Unsplash

Taylor Grote/Unsplash

Digital Assistant Dora will be able to hold follow-up calls with patients and have an automated conversation with them.

Dora will call patients after surgery to ask about symptoms, whether the patient needs their second eye operated, answer common questions, and collect feedback on the service provided.

Patients with mobile phones will receive a text message with the date and time that Dora will call. Dora will also try alternative times and days if these are more suitable for the patient.

The system, which conducts a real-time two-way conversation with patients that enhances routine appointments, has been developed by an autonomous telemedicine company Ufonia. 

Dora will be trialled for a 12-month period and feedback will be collected from patients.

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