A NEW study from the University of Aberdeen suggests that Artificial Intelligence (AI) aimed at identifying patients eligible for joint replacement surgery could greatly reduce waiting times and enhance the efficiency of surgical procedures.
The research indicates that the AI, led by the University of Aberdeen, could quickly and precisely determine which patients are suitable for hip replacement surgery, thereby reducing waiting lists and ensuring that the appropriate patient is seen by the correct healthcare professional at the right moment.
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Dr Luke Farrow, Clinical Research Fellow, from the University of Aberdeen who led the study said: “We identified that the radiologist’s summary of x-ray findings can be successfully used to help predict which patients referred for consideration of hip replacement will go on to have surgery.”
This study marks the first in-depth exploration of the role of Artificial Intelligence in this area.
With waiting times for joint replacement surgery at an all-time high, this innovative technology could revolutionise an overwhelmed system:
Dr Farrow added: “Using this AI tool in clinical practice would allow for rapid automated review of many patients which would likely significantly improve efficiency and reduce associated costs – this could change the lives of thousands of patients who have been waiting for years to reach the top of surgical lists.”
While this is an exciting development with potential for radically improving patient care, Dr Farrow and the team found that the AI still needs to be trained according to the specific characteristics of the healthcare setting it is to be used in.
