Jakarta, INTI - Japan's ministry of health will begin trials of artificial intelligence (AI) for cancer screening procedures. This is being done to reduce the workload of doctors. The Asahi Shimbun reported that the plan for this trial was approved on March 23 by a panel of experts.
Government guidelines require a "double-check" system for lung, stomach, and breast cancer screenings at the municipal level. At least two doctors must review each X-ray image to prevent screening errors and oversights.
AI is Used to Ease Doctors’ Workload
This “double-check” system, however, has left healthcare facilities short of doctors and placed a significant burden on medical staff. To ease this burden, the ministry of health in Japan has begun trials of the use of AI in cancer screening procedures. In the proposed trial, AI will first analyze the images.
If the AI flags potential abnormalities, a doctor will assess the AI results to decide whether further testing is necessary. This approach could eliminate the need for a second doctor to review the images.
For images deemed free of abnormalities by the AI, the double-check guideline by two doctors will remain in effect.
The timing, method, and structure for verification have not yet been decided. The ministry stated that this will be determined after consulting with experts and hearing their opinions.
Conclusion
A trial of AI by the Japanese Ministry of Health aims to reduce the burden on doctors in cancer screening by assisting with the initial analysis of medical images, without sacrificing accuracy. Government guidelines require doctors to do double-checking for lung, stomach, and breast cancer screenings. The AI system is aimed to ease this burden and improve healthcare system.
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