RANZCR's position on artificial intelligence in radiology and radiation oncology 

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to influence various aspects of healthcare, including radiology and radiation oncology. RANZCR is committed to supporting the safe, ethical, and effective integration of AI into our fields as it continues to develop.

This blog serves as an overview of RANZCR's position on AI, particularly focusing on generative and autonomous AI technologies to advocate for their thoughtful and responsible use within clinical practice and provide a foundation for understanding the complexities and responsibilities involved in its use. 

What is artificial intelligence (AI)? 

Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence by machines. In healthcare, AI can analyse large amounts of data, make predictions, and even assist in decision-making processes. Within radiology and radiation oncology, AI has the potential to enhance patient care by improving the accuracy and efficiency of diagnoses and treatments.

Generative AI 

Generative AI is a type of AI that can create content such as text, images, and even videos based on prompts. This technology has vast potential in healthcare, including summarising patient records, generating radiology reports, and assisting in treatment planning. While these applications offer exciting possibilities, they also come with significant risks.

Potential benefits of generative AI in healthcare

• Improved efficiency: AI can streamline routine tasks, such as generating radiology reports or planning treatments, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care.
• Enhanced teaching and research: AI can create educational content and synthetic data for research, helping to advance medical knowledge.
• Patient communication: AI tools can translate complex medical information into layman's terms, making it easier for patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment options.

Risks to consider

• Privacy concerns: Using AI tools that process patient information could potentially breach confidentiality if not handled correctly.
• Errors and hallucinations: AI can sometimes produce inaccurate outputs that appear correct, posing a risk to patient safety if not thoroughly checked.
• Bias and inequity: AI models may reflect biases in the data they were trained on, potentially leading to unequal treatment for certain patient groups.

Autonomous AI  

Autonomous AI refers to systems that can operate with limited human intervention. In healthcare, these systems can perform complex tasks such as image analysis and treatment planning. While autonomous AI can greatly enhance efficiency, the risks associated with its use are significant.

Key considerations for autonomous AI

• Risk of error: Even a small mistake by an AI system can have serious consequences, especially in high-stakes situations like diagnosing or treating cancer.
• Transparency: AI systems should be designed to produce outputs that are transparent and understandable, both at the time of use and in retrospect.
• Human oversight: No matter how advanced the AI, human professionals must remain involved in the decision-making process to ensure patient safety.

RANZCR's guidance on AI use 

RANZCR's position is clear. While AI holds immense potential to revolutionise healthcare, its use must be approached with caution and a focus on patient safety. We recommend the following best practices for our members:

1. Due diligence before adopting any AI tool, to ensure it is clinically validated and complies with local regulations.
2. Privacy protection to avoid entering sensitive patient information into publicly available AI tools to prevent privacy breaches.
3. Regular monitoring of AI systems should be continuously monitored to ensure they remain safe and effective, particularly in clinical settings.
4. Human oversight to always involve qualified healthcare professionals in the interpretation and use of AI outputs.

By balancing the benefits of AI with the need for careful oversight and ethical considerations, we can incorporate this technology to improve patient outcomes while safeguarding the integrity of our practice.

AI in healthcare is about using technology to improve patient care while ensuring it's applied safely, ethically, and responsibly. RANZCR is committed to leading the way in promoting best practices.

 

Click here to learn more about our work on AI