Invitation to Participate in a National Validation Study of AI‑Assisted Colonoscopy Triage

Kia ora colleagues,

We are inviting gastroenterologists across Aotearoa to participate in a national validation study evaluating an AI assisted triage tool for colonoscopy referrals.

Background

Our team has been developing a large language model tool to support colonoscopy referral triage. In an exploratory study of 100 real referrals, the model performed well, but the key finding was clear: clinician triage is highly variable, and a robust, clinician derived consensus standard is essential before any AI tool can be considered for clinical use.

This study aims to build that reference standard at scale. Your clinical judgement will directly shape whether this tool is safe, reliable, and fit for practice in New Zealand.

This project is jointly led by Dr Jay Gong and Dr Henry Wei, in collaboration with Te Whatu Ora and the University of Auckland, with support from a multidisciplinary research team.

The study has been approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC), and all referral material is fully de identified.

Who we are inviting

• NZ based gastroenterologists with vocational registration

• Actively involved in colonoscopy triage

• Familiar with current NZ symptomatic and surveillance guidelines (refresher available)

What participation involves

• Small panels of three gastroenterologists reviewing real, de identified referrals

• Consensus triage decisions using current guidelines

• Aim of 40 referrals per session (each session ~3 hours)

• Up to 20 sessions in total (attend as many as you wish)

• Evening sessions, with in person and Zoom options

• Catered for in person attendees

• $300/session reimbursement as acknowledgement of your contribution and time commitment

• Participation in these sessions can be claimed toward RACP CPD hours under Reviewing Performance and Educational Activities. Attendance confirmation will be provided at request.

To maintain methodological consistency, each session requires a full three-person panel. If you sign up, please make a genuine effort to attend or notify us early if you cannot.

Location & timing

• Grafton Campus, University of Auckland (exact room TBC)

• Evening sessions, dates to be circulated shortly

• Zoom option available for colleagues outside Auckland

Recognition

• Participation in five or more sessions qualifies for co authorship on the resulting manuscript

• All other contributors will be formally acknowledged

• This study will underpin a peer‑reviewed publication and contribute to one of the earliest robust, clinician‑validated AI triage datasets in gastroenterology

If you are interested, please reply with the details below. Proposed session dates and a signup sheet will be circulated shortly.

1. Name and title:

2. Institution / Hospital:

3. Email contact:

4. Preferred attendance: In person / Zoom

5. Dietary requirements (if attending in person):

Please email Henry.Wei@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz with the above information if you are interested in participating in this study.