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Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for the healthcare industry, offering innovative solutions for diagnosis, treatment planning, and improving patient outcomes. As AI continues to be integrated into healthcare systems, it promises advancements across various domains. This review explores the diverse applications of AI in healthcare, along with the challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of AI's impact on healthcare and to identify areas for further development and focus., Main Applications: The review discusses the broad range of AI applications in healthcare. In medical imaging and diagnostics, AI enhances the accuracy and efficiency of diagnostic processes, aiding in early disease detection. AI-powered clinical decision support systems assist healthcare professionals in patient management and decision-making. Predictive analytics using AI enables the prediction of patient outcomes and identification of potential health risks. AI-driven robotic systems have revolutionized surgical procedures, improving precision and outcomes. Virtual assistants and chatbots enhance patient interaction and support, providing timely information and assistance. In the pharmaceutical industry, AI accelerates drug discovery and development by identifying potential drug candidates and predicting their efficacy. Additionally, AI improves administrative efficiency and operational workflows in healthcare, streamlining processes and reducing costs. AI-powered remote monitoring and telehealth solutions expand access to healthcare, particularly in underserved areas., Challenges and Limitations: Despite the significant promise of AI in healthcare, several challenges persist. Ensuring the reliability and consistency of AI-driven outcomes is crucial. Privacy and security concerns must be navigated carefully, particularly in handling sensitive patient data. Ethical considerations, including bias and fairness in AI algorithms, need to be addressed to prevent unintended consequences. Overcoming these challenges is critical for the ethical and successful integration of AI in healthcare., Conclusion: The integration of AI into healthcare is advancing rapidly, offering substantial benefits in improving patient care and operational efficiency. However, addressing the associated challenges is essential to fully realize the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. Future efforts should focus on enhancing the reliability, transparency, and ethical standards of AI technologies to ensure they contribute positively to global health outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2024 Shang et al.)

Objective: An effective tool for establishing concordant end-of-life (EOL) care in patients with cancer is advance care planning (ACP). However, various barriers, including psychological obstacles, hamper the access to ACP. Therefore, a new conceptual model combining a psycho-oncological approach with structured ACP was developed. The effectiveness and efficiency of this new concept of collaborative ACP (col-ACP) is evaluated in the present randomised controlled trial in patients with palliative cancer., Methods: 277 patients with palliative cancer and their relatives were randomised into three groups (1) collaborative ACP (col-ACP) consisting of a psycho-oncological approach addressing barriers to EOL conversations followed by a standardised ACP procedure, (2) supportive intervention (active control) and (3) standard medical care., Results: Patients in the col-ACP group completed advance directives (p<0.01) and healthcare proxies (p<0.01) significantly more often. Additionally, they felt better planned ahead for their future treatment (p<0.01) and were significantly more confident that their relatives were aware of their treatment wishes (p=0.03). In fact, their goals of care were known and highly fulfilled. However, patients' and caregivers' quality of life, patients' stress, depression and peace did not differ between the groups., Conclusions: The new, well-received, concept of col-ACP improves readiness and access to ACP and results in more consistent EOL care. Further, even if no direct influence on quality of life could be proven, it supports patients in planning their treatment, making autonomous decisions and regaining self-efficacy in the face of life-limiting cancer. Therefore, a closer interlocking and information exchange between psycho-oncological and ACP services seems to be reasonable., Trial Registration Number: NCT03387436., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

In children, the majority of cases are self-limiting and thus many paediatric patients can be managed conservatively with minimal complications. This varies considerably compared to adult newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopaenia (NDITP) where, in most cases, thrombocytopaenia persists with higher risk of moderate to severe bleeding complications. In the past decade, local and international guidelines have emerged to support approaches to the investigation and management of NDITP, with a focus primarily on adult immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP). International consensus guidelines on paediatric NDITP have been developed, however gaps remain, and approaches vary between North American, Asia, Europe and the UK. There are no current Australian or New Zealand paediatric ITP guidelines readily available, rather differing guidelines for each state, territory or island. These inconsistencies cause uncertainty for patients, families and physicians managing cases. Subsequently, physicians, including paediatric haematologists and general paediatricians, have come together to provide a consensus approach guideline specific to paediatric NDITP for Australian or New Zealand. Persistent or chronic paediatric ITP remains a complex and separate entity and are not discussed here., (© 2023 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)