Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) is currently trialing Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) in a number of inpatient and outpatient services, as part of their commitment to using innovative tools to improve the experience for patients and staff.
The trial is being facilitated by TheHill, OUH’s Digital Innovation Team.
You can read more about the AVT trial on the OUH website or review the FAQs below.
What is ambient voice technology? (AVT)
AVT is a secure, voice-based system that helps clinicians create clinical notes during your appointment, using speech recognition and natural language processing.
What’s the difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and ambient voice technology?
AI is the technology that lets machines think, learn, and make decisions. AVT is a type of t technology that lets devices listen to and understand voice in the background. AVT often uses AI to understand what’s being said and respond the right way.
Why is OUH trialing this technology?
We want to understand whether AVT can help improve the accuracy of medical records, save clinicians time on typing, allow clinicians to spend more time focusing on patients and improve the overall experience for patients and staff.
Where is the trial happening?
The trial is happening in several areas of the Trust, including Diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism; Critical Care; Cancer Outpatients; Community Paediatrics; Dermatology and ENT.
Will I be recorded?
The system may capture your voice during the consultation, but it is only used to help produce the clinical notes. Audio recordings are not stored permanently.
Is my personal information safe?
Yes. All data is handled securely in accordance with NHS Data Protection regulations. AVT tools used in the trial are complaint with OUH’s Information Governance Standards.
All recordings are deleted once the transcript is generated (usually within minutes). All generated documents will be stored on our secure Electronic Patient Record system as per usual practice, and copies will be deleted from the servers of our partners within 28 days. All information processing is GDPR compliant.
Do I have to take part?
No. Your participation is entirely voluntary. Clinicians will explain the technology at the start of your appointment, and you can opt out at any time. Opting out does not affect your care.
If I don’t take part, will this affect my appointment or treatment?
No, your consultation and care will continue as normal, whether AVT is used or not.
Who do I speak to if I have questions or concerns?
Please ask your clinician during your appointment or contact your clinical team directly.
What if the technology has trouble understanding me?
The clinician is always in control of the consultation and the final clinical notes. If the AVT system does not capture something accurately, the clinician can make corrections manually. Your care won’t be affected, and your clinician will ensure your record is accurate and up-to-date.
Will I be asked to give feedback?
You may be asked to fill in a short questionnaire about your experience to help us understand how AVT is working and how it can be improved. Taking part in feedback is optional, but very valuable for us to understand your perspective and input into decisions about the technology.
I would like more information about TheHill and the work you do – where can I find it?
You can stay up-to-date by subscribing to our mailing list, where you’ll receive emails with the latest news about our projects, partnerships and opportunities to get involved.