How clinical decision support solutions are leading to improved efficiencies and care outcomes

Trusted insights for the most nuanced cases

Dr. Jackson highlighted instances where CDS resources proved invaluable. For example, in managing thyroid disease during pregnancy, being able to quickly consult a trusted CDS solution provides access to detailed insights into how pregnancy alters physiology and impacts test results.

“Just because a patient’s situation is slightly nuanced doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be managed correctly,” he states, emphasizing the need for tools that account for real-world complexities.

Another area where robust CDS tools excel, according to Dr. Jackson, is in the management of complex scenarios like diabetes in elderly and frail patients. The tool offers step-by-step guidance on medication, target setting, and complication avoidance, contrasting with more general advice found in other resources. “UpToDate’s expert oversight ensures clinicians feel well-informed, not just given a brief overview.” he explained.

Practical applications and broader benefits of CDS

With the increasing prevalence of AI in healthcare, Dr. Jackson stressed the importance of a trustworthy knowledge base. He believes that validated, expert-reviewed CDS content acts as a vital safeguard against the risks of AI models drawing from unverified sources.

Dr. Jackson detailed the practical applications of CDS systems in his daily work - from guiding decisions in his specialist clinic and providing crucial information during acute care and on-call duties, to educating doctors in training and supporting general practitioners with evidence-based advice and patient education. He frequently shares relevant content with colleagues to ensure patients receive the best possible care throughout the community.

Tangible impacts on healthcare delivery

At this stage in his practice, Dr. Jackson points to UpToDate® as the gold standard among CDS resources whose benefits clearly extend beyond individual patient management. According to Dr. Jackson, UpToDate plays a central role in improving clinical outcomes, helping to avoid unnecessary investigations and referrals, and streamlining care pathways for both specialists and generalists.

He also notes tangible cost savings enabled by UpToDate’s detailed, validated guidance - ranging from more accurate prescribing and reduced medication errors to potentially shorter hospital stays. In addition to enhancing efficiency, Dr. Jackson highlights the important medicolegal protections that come from relying on an authoritative source like UpToDate.

In the event of a medical case being reviewed, referencing UpToDate demonstrates due diligence and adherence to best practices, offering a level of protection against liability that relying on general internet searches cannot provide.

Advocating for expanded access and future enhancements

Looking to the future, Dr. Jackson envisions the incorporation of AI to further enhance its utility for busy clinicians. He also passionately advocated for wider access to UpToDate in NHS primary care organizations, expressing concern over the availability of less reliable sources.

In his final recommendations, Dr. Jackson urged healthcare leaders to recognize UpToDate as an essential investment.

“Every patient deserves the best possible care,” he concluded. “If we have access to a comprehensive, up-to-date clinical resource, we owe it to them to use it.”

Dr. Jackson’s endorsement reinforces UpToDate’s position as a cornerstone of evidence-based medicine, providing clinicians with the confidence and knowledge to deliver high-quality, safe, and efficient patient care.