VIDEO: Use cases and implementation strategies for radiology artificial intelligence

Kahn explains there is a lot of work involved to integrate AI into radiology systems. He also said the role of AI is becoming more important as the U.S. faces a growing shortage of radiologists, and the technology can help augment radiologists to do more and improve patient care.

"Every time someone comes in and asks to install an AI application in the radiology department, it means someone has to get the legal agreements and all the contracting done, but then you have to connect it in with your systems,"  Kahn said.

This includes connecting it, ideally, within the EMR, PACS and other systems used by radiology. This is why several vendors go with an app store concept where a single vendor could serve as a gatekeeper to easy integration of specific AI within an existing PACS system architecture. 

"For departments that want to start exploring these tools, it's an expensive proposition and takes a fair bit of resources, and not only in terms of the outright cash to purchase or license the system, but as well the IT support to build and maintain the connections," Kahn explained. 

Another question radiology departments need to ask is what is the reason for adopting a particular AI algorithm. Uses cases that have been proposed for AI include a way to expand screening programs or advanced image first pass interpretations at rural hospitals and underserved and resource poor communities. A few years ago it was suggested AI may replace radiologists, but that appears to be decades in the future, if ever, Kahn said. Instead, there is an ever widening shortage of radiologists, and AI may play a role in helping augment radiologists so they can concentrate on reading cases with suspected disease or more complex cases. 

Kahn also said AI may play a key role in the coming years of addressing health disparities. 

"At some level, we need to find ways to where we can deliver care that is cost-effective, reaches all the people we need to reach and provided equitable healthcare, and the hope is that we can use AI to expand the reach of what we o and improve the quality of it," Kahn said. 

Related AI in Radiology Content:

VIDEO: Assessing radiology AI and understanding programatic bias  — Interview with  Charles E. Kahn, Jr., MD

VIDEO: 6 key trends in PACS and radiology informatics observed by KLAS — Interview with Monique Rasband,VP imaging, KLAS

Artificial intelligence in radiology: Friend, not foe, say experts concerned about student perceptions of AI

VIDEO: 9 key areas where AI is being implemented in healthcare — Interview with Julius Bogdan, HIMSS

VIDEO: Where are we with AI adoption in radiology? — Interview with Bibb Allen, MD

VIDEO: Validation monitoring for radiology AI to ensure accuracy — Interview with Bibb Allen, MD

Radiologists can reclaim an hour every day with AI assistance

VIDEO: Overview of radiology AI  — Keith J. Dreyer, DO, CSO, ACR Data Science Institute 

VIDEO: Segmenting the Radiology Artificial Intelligence Market by Function — Interview with Keith J. Dreyer, DO

VIDEO: Where will radiology AI be in 5 years?  — Interview with Keith J. Dreyer, DO

How do radiologists really feel about adopting AI? New data offer insight

Less experienced radiologists benefit from deep learning models when scouting for intracranial aneurysms

Legal ramifications to consider when integrating AI into daily radiology practice

 

 

Dave Fornell is a digital editor with Cardiovascular Business and Radiology Business magazines. He has been covering healthcare for more than 16 years.

Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com

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