Positive outcomes when using AI in your radiology practice
Artificial Intelligence has been making a positive impact in Radiology for the last few years. Questions and concerns have been raised in how it might impact their roles. As physicians begin to understand AI they recognize how it can improve their practices. There is now a demand for AI to help augment patient care in various areas of the industry. What are the positive impacts of AI in radiology?
Clinically, we know that AI learns from a vast number of clinical images. More than a radiologist would see in their entire career. This provides a huge opportunity to meet the demands of high caseloads and complex patients. AI can alleviate the stresses of burnout that are driving physicians to cut their hours or take early retirement. “It’s the extra radiologist in the radiologist shortage”*. AI won’t take the place of a radiologist, but it can help them get the additional resources that make their lives easier.
AI in Mammography is designed to improve the detection of breast cancer. In the case of MammoScreen(R), each image is scanned for suspicious findings. Each of them is given a score from 0 to 10, and the same scoring is applied at the breast and exam level for traceability. This allows the radiologist to view the algorithm’s confidence to detect an area of suspicion. Automated detection provides the radiologist a reading priority which speeds reporting and improves the patient’s outcomes**. The radiologist always makes the final decision. This is why giving a score can improve workflow, sensitivity and specificity.
How does this benefit your patients? Let’s face it; physicians are human and due to human error some cancers can be missed. AI is a tool that assists them in finding such cancers. Explaining this to patients gives them a sense of security. You’re looking out for their well-being.
What do you need to think of when considering AI in your practice? Here’s a few questions to ask:
- Will this technology improve speed and efficiency by increasing productivity around routine and time-consuming practices?
- How will this integrate with your PACS and RIS systems?
- How was this software developed and image trained?
- How will you educate your employees and patients about this new technology?
What we do know for sure:
Radiologists’ will not be replaced by AI however, the profession will undoubtedly change***. Many of the routine tasks in their workflow will be performed faster and better with AI. They will have time for more important tasks such as focusing on more complex cases. The real challenge is to embrace this technology by educating themselves and their colleagues about AI and ensuring that its use is always directed towards the patient’s benefit.
Are you ready to learn more? See how MammoScreen® AI could benefit your practice. Ask for a Demo now!
*www.aidoc.com/blog/is-radiologist-shortage-real
**www.healthitanalytics.com/news/benefits-of-artificial-intelligence-to-radiology-workflows
***www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6449411/