My project: exploring AI applications in women’s healthcare

My PhD project focuses on exploring and developing artificial intelligence (AI) applications in women’s healthcare, with a particular emphasis on leveraging AI to enhance individual treatment plans.

Menopause is a pivotal event in a woman’s life that can negatively affect the quality of life and heighten health concerns. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for menopausal symptoms, but it is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Optimising individualised treatment plans is essential for effective menopause management. However, several challenges complicate the optimal decision-making process, including the complexity of menopausal symptoms, the variability in individual responses to treatment, and the potential risks associated with HRT. Thus, research focused on menopause, particularly in developing AI tools to study and manage it, holds immense value.

The overarching aim of this PhD project is to develop advanced machine learning (ML) and deep reinforcement learning (RL) methods to improve the interpretation of clinical data, personalise treatment outcomes, and enhance overall healthcare efficiency. Specifically, the project seeks to leverage the extensive clinical data provided by Newson Health to gain novel insights into menopause diagnosis and treatment, and advance individualised healthcare by exploring state-of-the-art AI technologies.

A significant aspect of this project is the collaboration with the industrial company Newson Health. Newson Health has been actively engaged in menopausal research to substantiate the benefits of HRT, focusing on providing evidence-based care and treatment. This partnership is crucial in bridging the gap between academic research and practical implementation, ensuring that the AI solutions developed are innovative and viable. The industry collaboration provides access to real-world clinical data and expert insights, which will enrich the research and accelerate the translation of findings into tangible healthcare improvements.

For instance, during the early stages of the research, our technical support significantly improved the speed and quality of a joint clinical research project, leading to new insights into menopausal symptoms and the effects of HRT. This collaboration has also deepened our understanding of menopause, laying a solid foundation for applying machine learning methods to enhance future research outcomes.

The impact of the project

The impact of this project is multifaceted, with significant societal, economic, and clinical implications. From a societal perspective, the project’s success could substantially improve healthcare outcomes for millions of women worldwide. By developing AI tools that provide personalised and targeted treatment options, the project has the potential to enhance the quality of life and productivity of women experiencing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. Additionally, effective management of these symptoms can contribute to public health by reducing the risks of severe conditions associated with menopause.

Advancements in menopause research through AI can reduce healthcare costs by streamlining diagnostics and personalising treatment plans. Meanwhile, effective management of menopausal symptoms may help post-menopausal women remain in work, whether full-time or part-time, significantly boosting the economy. By developing AI tools that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of menopausal care, this project can thus contribute to this economic goal.

Clinically, this project fills critical research gaps in menopausal studies. Using real-world clinical data from a large cohort of patients offers a unique and comprehensive dataset for analysis, allowing for more accurate and generalisable findings. Collaborating with Newson Health’s in-house research team, we have also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding menopausal symptoms and the effectiveness and safety of HRT, including testosterone replacement therapy.

Quotes from me about my experience

‘Completing this project will go beyond my individual effort, and comprise collaborative academic and industrial research, where the insights by experts from a range of fields will complement the practical demands of real-world applications, enriching our knowledge and making a difference to women’s lives’

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