A study has tested an AI system designed to help radiologists create diagnostic impressions from medical images like CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays. The AI, a large language model, was used to draft initial impressions based on imaging findings, which radiologists then reviewed and adjusted as needed.
The study took place at Shanghai General Hospital, where six radiologists used the AI-generated impressions in their day-to-day work. The AI had been trained on a mix of medical reports and general text data, and was tested on nearly 4,000 patients. An expert panel then evaluated the AI’s work, giving it high marks for accuracy and clarity.
While the AI wasn’t perfect, it generally produced solid starting points for radiologists to work from. This could help speed up the process of writing radiology reports and ensure more consistent quality, though the technology still relies on human oversight to catch errors and make final decisions.
The study highlights how AI might assist radiologists in the future, but it’s clear that human expertise remains essential.