Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being promoted as a key tool to aid doctors in identifying fractures on X-rays, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The endorsement aims to ease the pressure on NHS radiology departments and enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Research by NICE suggests that AI-assisted analysis can help pinpoint fractures that may go unnoticed due to the high demand in emergency care settings. The initiative comes amid a significant staffing shortage, with radiologist vacancies at 12.5% and radiographers at 15%.
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Four AI tools have been recommended for trial across England, with healthcare professionals still supervising every diagnosis. Mark Chapman, NICE’s health technology director, emphasized that AI is designed to act as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human expertise, helping reduce diagnostic errors and unnecessary follow-up visits.
NICE’s guidance, open for public input until November 5, explores how AI might bolster patient care without compromising safety, amid its broader use in fields like cancer detection and pandemic prediction.
