The AI boom is spilling over.
A recent study reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of radiologists when interpreting X-ray images. Published on June 5 in JAMA Network Open, the research shows that some radiologists improved their workflow by as much as 40% after incorporating a specialized AI tool into their daily routines.
Developed by engineers at Northwestern University, the AI system was custom-built using clinical data from the Northwestern Medicine network. It generates nearly complete, patient-specific radiology reports based on X-ray images. Radiologists then review the AI-generated report alongside the original scan and finalize their diagnosis. The system also features real-time alerts for critical issues such as pneumothorax and employs automated cross-checks with patient records to highlight urgent findings.
The AI was implemented across Northwestern Medicine’s 12 hospitals during a five-month trial in 2024. Approximately 24,000 radiology reports were examined—half using AI assistance and half without. On average, radiologists using the AI tool completed their work nearly 16% faster, with some seeing productivity improvements of up to 40%, all while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
According to Dr. Samir Abboud, chief of emergency radiology at Northwestern Medicine, the tool significantly improved their ability to manage emergency cases. The ability to rapidly prioritize and diagnose potentially life-threatening conditions allowed doctors to deliver faster treatment. The AI model has since been upgraded to interpret CT scans, reportedly achieving efficiency gains of up to 80%, though those findings have not yet been published.
Beyond X-rays and CT scans, the Northwestern team is also training the AI to detect subtle or early-stage conditions like lung cancer. Lead researcher Dr. Mozziyar Etemadi emphasized the system’s accessibility, noting that health systems can create tailored AI solutions without relying on costly third-party tools. This innovation could help alleviate the projected shortage of radiologists in the coming decade, but researchers stress that AI is meant to support, not replace, human expertise in medicine.
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