Artificial intelligence (AI) could help doctors find broken bones more accurately when they check X-rays, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The organization says research shows AI is safe to use and could make it quicker to diagnose fractures, reducing pressure on doctors and cutting down on some follow-up visits.
Four AI tools are being recommended for use in urgent care in England as more evidence is gathered on how helpful the technology can be. However, AI won’t be working alone. A healthcare professional will still review each X-ray.
NICE says 3-10% of broken bones are missed during emergency visits, making it the most common mistake in emergency departments. The experts who review thousands of X-rays daily are in short supply, with vacancy rates of 12.5% for radiologists and 15% for radiographers in the NHS.
To help, NICE suggests using AI to support doctors in spotting fractures. Mark Chapman, the director of health technology at NICE, explained that AI could make the job easier. “These AI tools are safe and could help find fractures that humans might miss because of the high workload,” he said.
AI could also speed up diagnosis and reduce the number of extra appointments needed due to missed fractures. NICE noted that the technology is unlikely to increase incorrect diagnoses or unnecessary referrals because a radiologist will always double-check the X-rays.
AI is already being used in healthcare to detect early signs of breast cancer, identify people at risk of heart attacks, and even predict future pandemics. The potential for AI in medicine is significant and continues to grow.
Source: BBC
