Limitations
A significant limitation is the small size of the study (29 patients)
which reduces the power of conclusions drawn and the generalizability of
our findings. This was due to the strict timings of the SBRI grant
funding, with a longer time than anticipated needed to obtain necessary
information governance approvals at the trust. It was however intended
as a small feasibility study to show proof of concept and form the
groundwork for more formal technology trials in the future. A
significant strength therefore is that, to our knowledge, this is the
first real-world use of an AI-led autonomous HNC triage conversation via
the telephone.