The Philips Future Health Index 2022 identifies radiology leaders as true early adopters of AI and predictive analytics in healthcare

The Philips Future Health Index 2022 identifies radiology leaders as true early adopters of AI and predictive analytics in healthcare

Not surprisingly, informatics healthcare leaders, whose daily lives are steeped in data, will be at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics to address healthcare challenges. In fact, an analysis of responses to the Philips Future Health Index 2022 -- an independent survey of nearly 3,000 healthcare leaders in 15 countries -- indicates a growing trust in AI and predictive analytics among this important group. However, the report also shows that despite the increasing level of trust among informatics leaders, radiology leaders are the true early adopters of advanced analytical techniques. Since the introduction of digital PACS (Picture archiving and communication system) some 30 years ago, radiology departments have been accumulating large amounts of medical imaging data with known outcomes, much of which has been quantified or retroactively quantified. What better data sets to train AI and predictive analytics algorithms.

Nearly a third (31%) of radiology healthcare leaders surveyed say they have adopted predictive analytics, compared to a global average of less than a quarter (24%) of all healthcare leaders surveyed. In fact, nearly four in five (82 percent) believe predictive analytics can have a positive impact on overall health outcomes, and about three-quarters believe it can have a positive impact on population health management (76 percent) and health equity (76 percent). In addition to these patient benefits, three quarters (75 percent) of respondents said predictive analytics can also have a positive impact on the health care worker experience. This could be an important benefit in terms of staff retention in the face of a growing demand to provide better and faster diagnoses in the face of a worldwide shortage of skilled radiologists.

A positive experience, but with reservations

As early adopters, radiology healthcare leaders' initial experience with predictive analytics appears to be positive. More than three-quarters (79%) said they trusted the technology in a clinical setting, and the same proportion (75%) said they trusted it in an operational setting. Like other healthcare leaders, 29 percent said improved data privacy and security protocols, as well as better oversight of privacy and security in clinical applications, would further increase trust. Nearly a third (31%) of respondents said they wanted transparency on the "inside" and how insights and recommendations derived from predictive analysis are determined.