Birmingham-founded head and neck cancer charity Get A-Head is teaming up with a group of researchers, patients and carers to create a vital bank of resources to support people in caring roles.
The pilot project will use artificial intelligence (large language models) to transform complex medical research and information on the internet into valid and easy-to-understand resources specifically designed for carers, who often find themselves suddenly thrust into demanding roles with minimal preparation and support.
The project is being led by consultant Simon Rogers at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (WUTH) and Get A-Head has awarded a grant of £9,750 to get it off the ground.
Danni Heath, charity director, said: “This innovative project directly addresses a significant gap in resources for carers of head and neck cancer patients.
“Carers are suddenly thrown into a new role, with no time to prepare and little information and support.
“Caring for someone with head and neck cancer often means they have to provide practical and nursing-related tasks, as well as emotional support. These place a significant burden on carers who report a range of challenges and difficult experiences.”
The project will utilise a high-quality database containing more than 4,000 reputable articles on head and neck cancer and material available online.
Researchers in computational linguistics with expertise in natural spoken and texted language, will use existing AI language models to extract relevant information and transform it into more understandable information.
Simon said: “These resources will be developed in partnership with carers, patients, and healthcare professionals, ensuring the content meets the needs of those caring for head and neck cancer patients.
“The pilot will initially create resources covering five topic areas and a platform and pipeline which will allow the resource material to expand to include the wide range of issues and concerns faced by carers. The ultimate goal is to help carers feel more supported, which research shows leads to better outcomes for patients.”
A multi-disciplinary steering group has been established to guide the project, which includes Danni from Get A-Head as well as representatives from BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists), BAHNON (British Association of Head and Neck Oncology Nurses), patient support groups and expert healthcare professionals from Northern Ireland, Liverpool and Leeds.
Get A-Head continues to support innovative projects that enhance the care and quality of life for people affected by head and neck disease, with all resources developed through this project planned to be freely available online.
