AI-Powered Virtual Navigator Doubles Colonoscopy Completion Rate
Montefiore Einstein Scientists Use AI to Boost Colonoscopy Completion Rates
CHICAGO — Colonoscopies are a crucial screening tool for colorectal cancer, but many people are hesitant to undergo the procedure due to various barriers such as cost, language barriers, or fear of the unknown. To address these challenges, scientists at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center have turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in patient outreach and navigation.
The team at Montefiore Einstein, led by psychologist Alyson Moadel-Robblee, recognized the limitations of human navigators in reaching all patients who miss their colonoscopy appointments. Partnering with tech company MyndYou, they developed a conversational AI named MyEleanor to help bridge this gap.
MyEleanor serves as a virtual navigator, reaching out to patients who have missed appointments or canceled screenings. By engaging with patients in a warm and personalized manner, MyEleanor helps connect them to human navigators for rescheduling and provides valuable insights on why appointments were missed.
In a recent study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, the team reported that MyEleanor doubled the colonoscopy completion rate among patients who had initially missed their appointments. The AI not only increased patient engagement but also freed up valuable time for human navigators, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.
The success of MyEleanor has significant implications for improving cancer screening programs, particularly in underserved communities facing multiple barriers to care. By leveraging AI technology, healthcare providers can optimize outreach efforts and reduce disparities in cancer prevention and treatment.
While the study highlights the potential of AI in healthcare, experts emphasize the need for ongoing evaluation and testing to ensure that these tools are effective and unbiased. Moving forward, the team at Montefiore Einstein plans to expand the use of MyEleanor to other cancer prevention programs, offering hope for improved engagement and outcomes in the fight against cancer.
