Mid Yorkshire doctor wins national prize for essay exploring the future of AI in healthcare | News

An anaesthetic Dr Saxon Burnett registrar at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust has been recognised nationally after winning second prize in a prestigious British Institute of Radiology (BIR) essay competition for her thought-provoking exploration of artificial intelligence and the future of healthcare.

Saxon, an ST6 Registrar in Anaesthetics, was awarded second place in the national competition for her essay examining the use of AI in radiology.

Despite training in anaesthesia rather than radiology, Saxon said she was drawn to the challenge of exploring a controversial and increasingly relevant topic.

She said: "The title offered an opportunity to consider not only the remarkable potential of artificial intelligence, but also the fundamental qualities that define a doctor and whether these can ever truly be replicated by technology.

"Ultimately, I believe the most interesting question is not whether artificial intelligence will replace radiologists, but how it will transform their practice and, indeed, the future of medicine as a whole." 

In her award-winning essay, Saxon argued that the future of healthcare is unlikely to be a contest between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. Instead, she believes the greatest benefits will come from combining the strengths of both.

She highlighted the potential for AI to reduce administrative burdens, improve efficiency and enhance diagnostic capabilities, allowing clinicians to spend more time on the aspects of care that require human judgement, compassion and understanding. However, she also acknowledged important challenges, including concerns around accountability, algorithmic bias and the risk of over-reliance on automated systems.

Reflecting on her achievement, Saxon praised the supportive culture within the Trust and the encouragement she has received throughout her training.

She said: "I feel extremely fortunate to be training in anaesthesia, which is an exceptionally supportive specialty with a strong emphasis on education, professional development and academic engagement.

"The Trust and the anaesthetic department here have played an important role in cultivating an environment where intellectual curiosity and personal development are actively encouraged.

"Having consultants who are approachable and willing to encourage interests beyond the immediate demands of clinical work creates the confidence to pursue opportunities that might otherwise seem outside one's comfort zone." 

Saxon hopes her success will encourage other resident doctors and healthcare professionals to pursue academic opportunities, even if they lie outside their own specialty.

She said: "My advice would be to take that first step and not allow self-doubt or the fear of being unsuccessful to discourage you.

"You do not need to be an established academic to make a meaningful contribution. Opportunities for professional and personal growth often begin with the decision to try something unfamiliar." 

 

The achievement highlights the breadth of talent across the Trust.