New ‘virtual clinician and coach’ care model to provide personalized pain care for young people

Curtin researchers will develop a system that uses artificial intelligence to provide fast and personalized care for young people living with chronic musculoskeletal pain, as part of a new Curtin-led project that has been supported by the Federal Government.

Chief Investigator Professor Helen Slater, from the Curtin School of Allied Health, said the aim was to support young Australians aged 16-21 years with chronic musculoskeletal pain to take their health into their own hands and improve their health and wellbeing.

"Despite the significant burden of chronic musculoskeletal pain in young Australians, an enduring service gap remains," Professor Slater said.

"While primary care services are available to young people with chronic conditions, age-appropriate, accessible, affordable and effective resources to support high-value musculoskeletal pain care across Australia are lacking."

Professor Slater said an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Curtin, Flinders University and the Department of Health WA in collaboration with international researchers from New Zealand, Canada and USA would develop, implement and evaluate myPATH.

"MyPATH will function as a 'virtual clinician and coach' care model to provide personalized pain care directly to young people," Professor Slater said.

"This dynamic, interactive system will rapidly learn from young people what pain care they need, when they need it and what works best for them, helping them to understand and better manage their individual care needs by supporting them and prompting healthy habits."

The Medical Research Future Fund provides grants to support health and medical research and innovation, with the objective of improving the health and wellbeing of Australians.