Editorial Note: At the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Alyson B. Moadel from the Albert Einstein Montefiore Medical Center unveiled a study on artificial intelligence (AI). The findings demonstrated that an AI-based patient navigation tool effectively assisted patients who missed initial colonoscopy appointments, significantly increasing screening completion rates. Recently, Dr. John Sweetenham from the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center provided insights on this groundbreaking study. This article presents a detailed view of this leading-edge research and its profound implications for healthcare.

• Dr. John Sweetenham: Dr. Sweetenham praised the study, emphasizing the substantial potential of AI platforms to address healthcare disparities, particularly among underserved populations. Traditionally, cancer screening programs rely on skilled patient navigators; however, in 2022, nearly 60% of patients still missed their scheduled screenings.
• With the introduction of the AI virtual patient navigator, MyEleanor, the research team contacted patients by phone to assess and address barriers to screening, offering real-time assistance in scheduling appointments and reminding patients of necessary preparations. This platform communicated in both English and Spanish and could detect nuances in patients’ voices, redirecting them to live agents if necessary. This innovation notably increased screening completion rates.
• Over the study’s 8-month period, approximately 60% of patients interacted with the platform, with nearly 60% of these patients opting for live assistance and rescheduling. The completion rate for those who previously missed appointments rose from 10% before the AI platform was implemented to 19% after. By leveraging AI, the research team not only addressed workforce challenges but also tackled major disparities in cancer care.

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