Oxford University Researchers Developed DrugGPT to Help Doctors in Prescribing Medicines

DrugGPT’s clear explanations help patients comprehend their prescribed medications, fostering better adherence and informed decision-making.

In a groundbreaking development, researchers at Oxford University have unveiled DrugGPT, an innovative AI tool designed to solve pharmaceutical prescription issues.

The AI tool offers quick second views on prescribed drugs and comprehensive information to help patients better understand their therapy, this technology acts as a safety net for medical professionals.

The project's lead researcher, professor David Clifton, claims that DrugGPT is a useful tool for medical professionals, providing suggestions to supplement their own knowledge.

"It will show you the guidance - the research, flowcharts, and references - and why it recommends this particular drug," he noted.

How Does DrugGPT Work?

When doctors input a patient’s medical conditions, DrugGPT swiftly analyzes the data and generates a list of recommended drugs.

It considers factors such as efficacy, potential side effects, and drug interactions, ensuring a well-informed decision-making process.

Thereafter the chatbot responds with a list of recommended drugs, highlighting potential adverse effects, and identifies drug interactions.

Importantly, DrugGPT provides instant second opinions, it explains the rationale behind its recommendations, offering guidance, research, and references.

Moreover, DrugGPT stands out for its efficacy, obtaining performance levels equivalent to those of human specialists in medical exams, even though some doctors currently utilize AI chatbots for medical purposes.

Further, DrugGPT’s effectiveness has been demonstrated in a preprint study, where it achieved performances competitive with human experts in US medical license exams.

DrugGPT’s clear explanations help patients comprehend their prescribed medications, fostering better adherence and informed decision-making.

How DrugGPT Impact Healthcare?

In England, millions of medication-related medical mistakes occur each year which raises a serious concern.

Reportedly, approximately 237 million medication errors occur annually in England, costing over £98 million and resulting in more than 1,700 lives affected.

Medication errors are a serious issue that can endanger lives and cause unneeded expenses. Patients who do not comply with recommended directions can contribute to medication-related problems.

To address this concern, DrugGPT was formalized. The AI tool aims to reduce these errors by assisting doctors in making informed decisions and empowering patients to understand their medications better.

Talking about it, consultant obstetrician Dr Lucy Mackillop said, “We must remember that healthcare personnel are humans and may commit errors, especially under pressure. Even though DrugGPT and other similar healthcare technologies can reduce mistakes, general practitioners still need to make sure they have enough money and employees to provide safe patient care.”

Dr Mackillop further emphasized the importance of implementing advanced safety precautions and ensuring thorough testing and assessment of novel instruments before their widespread use.

AI Streamlining Healthcare

In recent times, healthcare institutions have been swiftly integrating AI tools into their systems to optimize operational processes and enhance patient care and diagnostic capabilities.

For instance - researchers from the USA’s Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed an AI model that can accurately identify tumors and diseases with visual maps.

Days back, global technology leader, Oracle introduced an AI service that simplifies care management, prebuilt clinical quality analytics, and automated alerts.