It seems that there is no limit to the ways in which technology can improve our lives. We are all used to interacting with high-tech devices each day, whether in our personal or professional lives. In fact, a short time ago, the instruments used in radiology were considered incredibly cutting-edge – and today we largely take them for granted.
Looking ahead, it’s easy to see a future where artificial intelligence – commonly called AI – will lead to better results in the field of radiology. These advances are already being made and even more exciting outcomes seem sure to follow.
Why AI?
People in many professions tend to look suspiciously upon artificial intelligence, at least at first. There is often a concern that technology will replace the people who currently do the work, among other issues. With AI in radiology, however, attitudes tend to be more positive. The current iterations of this technology are not aimed at replacing radiologists, but rather at helping them be more effective and accurate in their work.
AI in radiology can be looked at as something that will fill in the gaps and create better outcomes. For example, what if a radiologist is dealing with an image late in the day and misses something due to fatigue? Machines don’t get tired, so having the support of AI can help the radiologist avoid costly errors. The ultimate goal is to optimize patient outcomes and provide the most accurate results possible from each scan, and a combined effort between human and machine could improve the process for everyone.
A Promising Timeline
With some advanced technologies, the promise of what the technology can offer is tremendous – but the timeline is slow to come to reality. With AI in the world of radiology, changes are happening rapidly. Where the use of machine learning in this space was virtually non-existent just a few years ago, many healthcare organizations and radiologists are already leaning into what AI has to offer.
The use of AI has jumped from 0% in 2015 all the way up to 30% in 2020. That’s a huge increase in only a five-year span, and it almost certainly speaks to widespread adoption coming in the next few years. As the technology continues to become more and more powerful, and is refined based on additional data and use in the real world, AI will only get more approachable, affordable, and appealing for healthcare organizations of all shapes and sizes.
Casting a Wide Net
One of the challenges inherent in the healthcare industry is providing the same level of patient care across a range of different facilities. It’s just an economic reality that hospitals and other facilities in big cities and major markets have large budgets and access to more advanced equipment. As a result, patients who are treated in rural areas often don’t benefit from the use of some of the best technology the market has to offer.
AI can help to level that playing field and improve outcomes for everyone. For example, if an MRI machine is not available to perform a scan, the combination of a CT scan with AI analysis may be able to get the job done. That CT scan might not provide the level of detail needed by a radiologist alone to make an accurate diagnosis, but adding AI into the mix could be the missing link. This is just one of many potential examples of how the addition of AI could go a long way toward making radiology better across the board.
How Can AIMI Serve You?
It’s exciting to think about a world where artificial intelligence can lead to better health outcomes for a wide range of patients. That world is already becoming a reality, but there are also other ways to use cutting-edge ideas to improve your business. Work with AIMI to explore the possibility of operational leases to bring advanced equipment into facilities that may not be able to afford a traditional purchase. Contact us today to get started.
