Australian Researchers Improve Heart and Lung Diagnosis Accuracy by 26.9% Using AI
Australian researchers have made significant advancements in the accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) diagnosis for heart and lung conditions. The study, conducted by the Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC) at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), compared different AI models in interpreting chest X-rays. By identifying the optimal combination of an encoder and decoder, the researchers were able to increase the accuracy of AI diagnoses by 26.9%.
Currently, AI X-ray report generation technology utilizes an encoder to interpret images and a decoder to generate a report. The AEHRC study is the first of its kind to determine which combination of encoder and decoder is most effective for accurate diagnosis. This breakthrough has the potential to greatly improve health services and support healthcare professionals by reducing their workload and burnout.
The lead author of the study, Aaron Nicolson, a CSIRO Research Scientist, highlights that automated report generation for X-rays could alleviate clinician burnout and create more space for robust patient care. The research showcases the future potential to better support clinicians in their work.
In addition to testing various encoders and decoders, the AEHRC team implemented a technique called warm starting. This method applies the knowledge acquired by an AI model from one task to improve its performance in another task. The researchers found that the model consistently identified certain lung abnormalities, such as pleural effusion (a fluid buildup), more effectively than others, like lung lesions.
Moving forward, the team aims to further enhance the model to accurately detect most conditions consistently before implementing the technology in clinical settings. The ultimate goal is to maximize the potential of AI in healthcare and provide better support to clinicians.
This groundbreaking study by Australian researchers highlights the significant progress being made in leveraging AI for medical diagnosis. With an increase in accuracy of 26.9%, this advancement has the potential to revolutionize healthcare services. By reducing the burden on healthcare professionals and improving patient care, AI technology continues to pave the way for a more efficient and effective healthcare system.
Source: [Xinhua]
