NHG Health Leverages AI to Enhance Medication Literacy in Singapore

In a pioneering initiative, NHG Health has launched MedVid, an innovative project aimed at enhancing medication literacy among Singapore's aging population. This initiative employs artificial intelligence (AI) to generate educational videos that explain medication information in all four of Singapore's official languages—English, Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay. The project was developed in collaboration with the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and is designed to address the significant challenges posed by limited medical literacy, particularly among older adults in Singapore.

According to a study conducted by NHG Health, approximately two-thirds of older adults in Singapore struggle with understanding medication instructions, which can lead to non-adherence and detrimental health outcomes. Sandra Xu, Pharmacy Principal Pharmacist (Clinical) and co-lead of the MedVid project, emphasized the cognitive burden on patients when it comes to retaining complex medical information. "When we look at counseling, there’s a lot of retention of information required from a patient, and this gives them a sort of deep cognitive burden when it comes to understanding their medications," Xu stated in an interview with GovInsider.

The MedVid project represents the first large-scale application of AI in Singapore's public healthcare system, featuring over 300 AI-generated videos covering 79 medication topics. These topics range from commonly prescribed medications for both acute and chronic conditions to information on drug allergies. The videos utilize AI technology to analyze speech samples and images of real-life pharmacists, ensuring that the information presented is both accurate and easily comprehensible for patients.

Historically, medication information has often been technical and primarily available in English, posing challenges for non-English speaking patients. To address this, NHG Health conducted focus group discussions and reviewed existing national medication leaflets developed by the National Medication Information workgroup to ensure that the content aligns with patients' understanding. "Using more natural language to break down medical information makes it more likely for patients to adhere to their dosage, as well as for pharmacists to better manage their resources," Xu commented.

The impact of medication non-compliance is significant, with estimates suggesting that it costs European healthcare systems approximately €125 billion annually. In Singapore, about 40% of patients are reported to be non-compliant with their medications, largely due to limited medical literacy. This non-adherence not only jeopardizes patients' health but also presents a considerable resource strain on pharmacies and healthcare facilities.

The MedVid initiative has already shown promising results. A recent proof-of-value study involving 149 patients indicated that 95% found the videos easy to access, and 87% considered them a viable alternative to in-person consultations. The accessibility of these videos via platforms like YouTube and the HealthHub website, as well as through QR codes on medication labels, allows patients to access vital information conveniently.

Furthermore, Xu noted that the MedVid project empowers patients by giving them the ability to independently obtain medication information. This self-service model allows pharmacists to allocate more time to patients with complex needs, thereby improving overall patient care. "Because we’re now able to offer patients a self-help option, we no longer have to go through the whole process of giving the patient calls individually to explain the medications and expect them to retain the information," Xu explained.

NHG Health is committed to expanding the MedVid project, with plans to triple the current number of videos. Future content will prioritize frequently used medications and aim to reach a broader segment of the Singaporean population. Xu highlighted the importance of technology in contemporary healthcare, stating, "I think we are embracing more technology. In healthcare, we can’t avoid technology, especially with patients who are more digital savvy now. MedVid now gives them an outlet to search for reliable information instead of doing a Google search hoping that they find information that is appropriate for them."

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like MedVid represent a crucial step toward improving patient literacy and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their linguistic abilities, have access to the information they need to manage their health effectively.