Katrina Mason
ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Specialist Registrar ST7
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2020 Bio: Katrina is a specialist registrar training in Otolaryngology (ENT) in London, UK. She has a bachelor’s degree in Bioethics alongside her primary medical degree from The University of Bristol. Her interest in digital healthcare innovation was ignited whilst studying for a master’s in Surgical Science and Practice at The University of Oxford.
Alongside digital transformation Katrina has a passion for improving the resources available for aspiring medics and is Chief Editor of The Unofficial Guide to Surgery: Core Operations.
Digital Pioneer Fellowship project summary: Katrina’s project involves the application and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) delivered telephone conversations to the clinical scenario of triage of suspected head and neck cancer referrals. This AI delivered telephone triage incorporates a validated head and neck cancer risk calculator, thereby reducing the need for many face-to-face consultations. This project has recently secured £60,000 of funding via the UK Government’s Sustainable Innovation Fund: SBRI Phase 1.
This project has established two partnerships with experts on sustainable healthcare to understand the environmental sustainability of this solution. The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) will evaluate the carbon footprint reduction and Dr Mike Holland will work to model the transport benefits utilising the NHS Sustainable Development Unit’s Health Outcomes of Travel Tool, which he authored.
Katrina hopes that the application of this technology can provide a long-term sustainable solution to the rising demand of head and neck cancer referrals, whilst providing patients equitable, timely and convenient triage.
Estimated number of patients / staff impacted by the project: 2000
Goal(s) for the programme: To be part of a network of like-minded individuals who support each other in their digital transformation goals. To grow as a clinician, broaden her horizons, and become a well-rounded driver of change.