From smart stethoscopes to predicting bed demand: how AI can support healthcare

"A new collection of studies released by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) demonstrates the potential usefulness of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

A separate trial found that AI in breast cancer screening is safe and can almost halve the workload of radiologists.

The pieces of research showcased in the NIHR report were published between 2020 and 2023. Here are five areas where promising AI interventions are addressing key health challenges.

Heart disease
About one in 100 adults have heart failure, which is usually diagnosed in hospital. Researchers have shown that an easy-to-use smart stethoscope could detect heart failure in primary care.

The AI-supported stethoscope identified people with heart failure correctly nine out of 10 times. It could help GPs prioritise referrals, improve outcomes for patients and save healthcare systems money.

Separate research found an AI application using routine clinical data with a blood test can determine whether people attending A&E have experienced a heart attack.

Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Two studies found that AI could help determine whether abnormal growths seen on a CT scan are cancerous.

The studies used different types of AI, and focused on different size growths, but both predicted cancer more accurately than the standard Brock score recommended by professional organisations. AI could help diagnose those patients earlier and save lives.

Disease progression
Research shows AI can predict whether people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in one eye will develop it in the other. A study including scans from more than 2,500 people found AI outperformed five out of six experts..." Lire la suite