Lately, it feels like everyone is talking about artificial intelligence (AI) for radiology image analysis. For a good reason, too. There’s a lot to consider.

While some of the hype is warranted, some isn’t. And many radiologists are left wondering, “Can AI improve radiology image analysis?” We might be a little biased, but for us, it’s a resounding “yes.”

Benefits of AI for radiology image analysis

Radiologists’ skills and know-how are irreplaceable. The best AI tools recognize this and work to augment your efforts, not replace them. It does this in two ways: faster reads and improved accuracy.

These two benefits eliminate the need for radiologists and oncologists to duplicate their efforts. No one needs to dictate notes or create reports. The AI can handle that, providing standardization and peace of mind for your team.

Faster reads

Faster reads generate higher output. You can complete more reads—and help more patients—each day. But there’s another reason that might be even more beneficial.

If you spend less time reading images, you can play a more effective diagnostic role, incorporating data from various sources, not just images. AI offers the ability to deliver more impactful care, so you can make a more significant difference in patients’ lives.

Improve read accuracy

AI can’t replace your expertise. Instead, it builds on existing knowledge learned from large data sets of previous scans—in some cases, this includes hundreds of thousands of images. With this knowledge, AI software can interpret a new image and detect tumors faster than standard methods.

It can also help when reviewing multiple scans for a single patient. When opening a new image, AI can retrieve previous images and notes automatically. This makes it fast and easy to pick up where you left off and helps you complete accurate reads quickly.

Additional benefits

Faster, more accurate reads have positive ripple effects that can trickle down throughout many areas of your work. From increased inter-observer agreement to reduced burnout, AI has a lot to offer radiologists.

Eliminate major errors and increase inter-observer agreement

AI reduces errors in radiology image analysis. With learned knowledge from large data sets of previous scans, AI can accurately identify, measure, and report on detected tumors. 

It also provides standardization. Without that, reads can vary, and inter-observer agreement dips to an inefficient level. Oncologists wind up repeating the same effort made by radiologists, taking up more time and reducing overall productivity.

Reduce burnout

A 2019 Medscape report showed that only 25% of radiologists felt happy. And 44% experienced some degree of burnout. 

AI allows radiologists to work more efficiently, so burnout becomes less of an issue. Your team can perform at the top of their licensure and enjoy the job satisfaction they need for long-term well-being.

Faster report turnaround times

With data embedded into workflows, it’s more easily extracted to make report development and delivery a quick and easy process. You don’t have to go searching for information. The software can handle that for you.

Smooth integrations

Importantly, AI can assist in integrating patient and image data into other tools like PACS, RIS, and EHRs. This allows for a more holistic diagnosis process and more customized treatment plans.

Collectively, AI is becoming an important tool in the quest to develop multi-faceted patient data for better care and more successful outcomes. 

Support for non-diagnostic tasks

AI also supports a variety of non-diagnostic tasks to improve operations for radiology image analysis. These tasks can include order entry support, patient scheduling, resource allocation, and improved workflows. 

Yes, AI can improve radiology image analysis

The benefits of AI in radiology are seemingly endless. And as technology develops further, new ways of helping radiologists will develop. Thankfully, some of those cutting-edge capabilities are already available today.

Founded by radiologist Dr. Andrew Smith, MD, PhD, AI Metrics is on a mission to leverage artificial intelligence to help radiologists perform at their highest levels. We want to augment your abilities through improved workflows, quantitative metrics, and automated reporting. 

AI Metrics workflows are twice as fast as traditional manual image evaluation and dictated text reports. Our solutions allow you to keep your eyes on the images so you can focus on high-level tasks, increase productivity, and reduce burnout.

Contact AI Metrics today to schedule a demo.