AI for good: Hospital chaplains and their patients

Introduction

This project is about assessing the abilities of "Generative AI" and its potential applications to chaplaincy and healthcare in general.

As AI becomes more sophisticated, some patients will benefit from the option of a non-human confidant. For example, perhaps they will reach out for help with tasks such as understanding their situation when staff are not immediately available, such as late at night, or when human carers are overwhelmed. Or, perhaps they might feel more comfortable being vulnerable with a machine when discussing certain topics they would find embarrassing  to ask a human.

The idea is not to replace, but to complement our human chaplains and carers.

Vision

Research and develop a prototyped platform to deploy AI services (chat, screening, planning, document summarisation and brainstorming tools) for chaplains within various healthcare locations (healthcare systems.) 

Chaplaincy in healthcare works well without AI. But, AI has a lot to offer to enrich the services already provided.

Outcome

This is a speculative, research-driven project. On one extreme, research may find no useful ways to use AI in this context. At the other extreme, we hope to have a working prototype, validation from practitioners and useful tools for the industry.

At a minimum we will produce and publish a report showing our research, approaches tried, and outcomes achieved. This should help us, as an industry, as we consider ways to use AI for good.

Technical detail

Our use of AI is primarily Large Language Models (LLM). When you talk to ChatGPT, Siri, or Copilot, you're interacting with one of these LLMs.

To support the varying needs for privacy, the platform will be able to use either cloud or private data centre configurations. Additionally, the LLM components can use either private (e.g. self hosted llama3) or public (e.g. OpenAI) services.

The product will leverage these LLMs to enable both patients and chaplains to interact with the product for therapeutic, and administrative tasks.

Project plan

Initially we will conduct a 3 month project:

• User research - 3rd party company - £6,000
• Development costs - £2,000
• Hosting and LLM services costs - £2,000

The outcomes from this will be:

1. Documented, published research into the application of AI to chaplaincy within the healthcare system

2. Working prototype of AI-assistance for hospital chaplains and patients.

Who are we?

This is Tia - he's a chaplain with more than 15 years of experience working in the sector. He will help us conduct user research and find contacts within the sector to provide feedback.

This is Andrew - a technologist with 25 years of experience in the sector. He will spearhead the technical implementation and feasibility.

What does AI have to say about this idea?

We conducted a short interview with ChatGPT about this idea.

Interviewer: In your opinion, what are some ways that AI could assist chaplains, or their patients in a healthcare context? If you could answer with a short paragraph that would help.

AI: AI could assist chaplains in healthcare settings by handling administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and summarizing documentation, allowing chaplains to focus more on personal interactions. For patients, AI-powered chatbots or virtual assistants could provide immediate, confidential support by engaging in conversations that help them process their feelings, ask spiritual questions, or reflect on their experiences, complementing the care provided by human chaplains.

Interviewer: How do you think people unfamiliar with technology would handle interacting with AI?

AI: People unfamiliar with technology might initially feel hesitant or uncertain about interacting with AI in a healthcare context. They may find the concept intimidating or worry that they won't know how to use it properly. However, if the AI interface is designed to be user-friendly and mimics natural human conversation, it can ease this transition. Simple, intuitive interactions—such as speaking or typing in plain language—can help make the experience more accessible. Additionally, providing guidance and reassurance about the confidentiality and purpose of the AI can build trust, making it a supportive tool rather than a technological barrier.

Interviewer: How can AI complement, rather than replace, the role of chaplains and carers within healthcare?

AI: AI can complement chaplains and carers in healthcare by enhancing their capabilities and streamlining their workflows, without replacing the essential human touch they provide. Here are several ways AI can assist:

• Administrative Support: AI can handle routine tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing calendars, and organizing patient records. This frees up more time for chaplains and carers to engage directly with patients.
• Information Access: AI-powered systems can quickly retrieve and summarize patient information, including medical history and personal preferences. This allows chaplains to personalize their support and be better prepared for patient interactions.
• Resource Recommendations: AI can suggest relevant spiritual texts, meditations, or coping strategies based on a patient's specific needs or cultural background, helping chaplains offer more tailored support.
• Language Translation: AI translation tools can assist in communicating with patients who speak different languages, breaking down language barriers and ensuring clear understanding.
• Initial Emotional Support: AI chatbots can provide immediate, confidential conversations for patients who may need support outside of regular hours or are hesitant to speak with someone in person. This can be a first step that encourages them to seek further assistance from a chaplain.
• Data Analysis: AI can analyze trends in patient concerns and feedback, helping chaplains identify common issues and adjust their approaches accordingly.
• Training and Education: AI can offer simulations and learning modules for chaplains and carers to enhance their skills, stay updated on best practices, and handle complex situations more effectively.
• Collaboration Tools: AI can facilitate better communication and coordination among healthcare teams, ensuring that chaplains are informed about patient statuses and can integrate their support with other care services.
• Ethical Guidance: AI can provide reminders of ethical guidelines and offer decision-support tools, helping chaplains navigate sensitive situations while adhering to professional standards.
• Accessibility: For patients with disabilities or those who are bedridden, AI can enable remote interactions through voice-activated systems or assistive technologies, ensuring they still receive spiritual support.

By handling auxiliary tasks and providing supportive tools, AI allows chaplains and carers to focus on what they do best: offering compassionate, human-centered care. The technology acts as an enabler, enhancing their ability to meet patients' spiritual and emotional needs without diminishing the personal connection that is crucial in healthcare settings.

Thanks for reading!

We hope you are as excited about the potential for good uses of AI as we are. Help us to create momentum for AI and humans to work together, and not against each other, for a better future.