Triaging Radiographs for Reporting Using Artificial Intelligence

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    TRAIN: Triaging Radiographs for Reporting Using Artificial Intelligence

  • IRAS ID

    291727

  • Contact name

    Giovanni Montana

  • Contact email

    g.montana@warwick.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Warwick

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 3 months, days

  • Research summary

    Clinical need: Imaging underpins most medical decisions to the point that radiology utilisation has outstripped resourcing in the UK. Current radiology workforce shortages are contributing to delays in reporting. There is a clear need to address if there are better ways of triaging imaging for prompt reporting.

    Hypothesis: We propose that a computer-based ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI) system could be used to better select chest radiographs (X-rays) for urgent reporting than current methods in real-time so that the time to reporting for urgent findings (irrespective of clinical history or referrer) can be reduced.

    Our prior research: Our team have developed an AI system to detect chest X-ray abnormalities (Annarumma et al. Radiology 2019; 291(1):196-202) and have shown in a simulation its potential to reduce delays to reporting critical findings.

    Current proposal aims: We wish to test if our AI system can triage chest X-rays as they are taken in real time; by detecting important findings, our AI system can highlight X-rays that need reporting more urgently, improving reporting turnaround times for radiologists.

    The following will be assessed:
    1. Changes to prospective reporting times when this triaging system is followed by on-site radiologists.
    2. Triaging performance for critical, urgent, non-urgent and normal chest X-rays versus expert review

    Impact on patient care:
    We hope that our system can reduce reporting time for chest X-rays. In this research project, no other change in the usual patient care is anticipated.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 02

  • REC reference

    21/SS/0028

  • Date of REC Opinion

    23 Apr 2021

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion