A comprehensive review of research has found that the use of AI and clinical software tools improves the quality of care during pregnancy by 69%. These findings highlight the transformative potential of technology in maternity care, boosting outcomes for millions of women worldwide.
Pregnancy care has taken a significant leap forward with the introduction of artificial intelligence and other clinical software tools. A recent study published in eClinicalMedicine reveals that the odds of receiving quality care during pregnancy increase by 69% when Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are utilized.
Researchers from esteemed institutions, including the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Health Partners, conducted a comprehensive review of over 12,000 papers and examined 87 articles focusing on AI and related software tools in maternity settings.
Their meta-analysis of 35 studies, encompassing data from more than 5.2 million pregnancies in both high-income and low-to-middle-income countries, demonstrated the substantial benefits of using CDSS.
Lead author Neil Cockburn, a Health Informatics Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, emphasized the urgency of integrating advanced technologies within maternity services.
“Maternity services are under huge pressure in the UK and internationally, and that makes it challenging to offer safe services. We can see this in the huge rise in hospitals receiving support from the Maternity Safety Support Programme,” he said in a news release.
The research underscores the potential of AI and CDSS to revolutionize maternity care, especially during times when healthcare systems are strained.
“One solution is the use of AI and related software tools called ‘Clinical Decision Support Systems’ to help expecting families and health care workers to make safe decisions, so we looked at every evaluation of these kinds of software ever published in academic literature,” Cockburn added.
The study reviewed nearly 50 different types of CDSS used across 49 high-income and 38 low-and-middle-income countries. Despite some variations in implementation and outcomes, the majority of these tools significantly improved pregnancy outcomes.
One notable example highlighted in the study was a CDSS developed by the University of Bristol, which supported women in deciding whether to attempt a vaginal birth after a previous C-section. This tool provided crucial information on risks and benefits, leading to increased confidence in decision-making and a reduction in the overall rate of C-sections.
Another promising application involved a risk-prediction model supported by Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research. This CDSS effectively triaged women as low-risk for ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening condition, showcasing the potential for CDSS to aid both clinical and personal decision-making processes in maternity care.
Despite their promising impact, the effectiveness of CDSS hinges on their suitability to each unique situation.
The researchers call for ongoing evaluations of different CDSS to continue aiding clinicians, developers and researchers in enhancing maternity care.
With the digital transformation of the NHS becoming a government priority, systematic, rigorous and rapid evaluations of these tools are paramount to ensure they meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare.
The findings from this comprehensive review lay the groundwork for future advancements in maternity care, promising a safer, more informed pregnancy journey for women worldwide.