| Workflow
The core of a radiologist’s workflow takes place on several platforms, including the picture archiving and communication system (PACS), report dictation software, electronic health records, and Radiology Information System. These programs are spread across multiple monitors, allowing radiologists to access the current case, prior medical history, worklist, reports, and dictation software. However, looking back and forth at the different monitors creates workflow disruption, which is why many radiologists are loathe to add in AI tools to the already fractured set-up. Creating risk
Creating imaging AI tools that integrate with existing workflows isn’t just about reducing clinician frustration; it’s also about reducing the risk of mistakes and making sure that “findings” from AI tools are actually usable to clinicians. For example, AI tools that operate as widgets create pop ups on the screen, actually cluttering the radiologist’s view and interfering with the diagnostic process. Additionally, tools that help prioritize urgent cases may be helpful in some situations with many radiologists reading from a common list, but not as much in departments like the ER where nearly every case is urgent. Another problem with non-integrative tools is that they may generate a static report, often a PDF, that remains permanently in the patient’s files, even if the radiologist disagrees with the AI’s “findings.” Because it’s in a non-editable format, the radiologist can’t interact with the report or respond to it, creating confusion that may linger in the patient’s health record for years to come. So what works?
Tools that take dictated findings and turn them into report drafts are popular, as are programs that pre-populate measurements. For detecting anomalies in scans, successful platforms are those that act like an intuitive layer on top of the existing PACS, sending measurements and notes straight to the report. Understanding the importance of integration, some PACS developers have even begun incorporating built-in AI tools rather than wait for third-party developers. Ultimately, even if a tool looks good to hospital and IT leadership, widespread adoption will only happen if the clinicians find the tool genuinely helpful and easy to use. — By MedCity Influencer Roger Boodoo |
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