Digitization in the work of a radiographer
There is a lot of digitalization in the work of a radiographer. All imaging machines includes digitalization and patient information systems are also part of digitalization.
For example, in computed tomography, we use a lot of digitalization. The doctor creates a referral in the patient information system, where we see it. The patient signs in at the registration machine in the hospital lobby. We transfer the patient’s information from the patient information system to the computed tomography machine. When the patient lies down on the examination table, we position the patient in the right place using a 3D camera. During the scan, we give the patient contrast medium. We calculate the amount of contrast medium with an electronic calculator. We control the operation of the contrast medium syringe during the scan using a touch screen.
In the future, we will certainly be able to utilize more AI. A study was conducted in Finnish hospitals regarding how much AI is already in use. Some hospitals use, for example, real-time interpretation and in my opinion that sounds amazing! It would help a lot of patients and people who are working in the hospital.
Risks in open digital society
I think the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a good thing. It provides protection for individuals and clear guidelines for companies. Companies now have common rules for processing and documenting personal data.
Sometimes the GDPR also gives challenges. For patients, it would often be convenient if the transfer of data from one system to another was easier. If the patient has not agreed to certain conditions, the data will not be transferred. Sometimes this causes challenges in patient care.
For example, mobile apps often ask you to answer a privacy survey as soon as you open the app, but not all of them. The last time I used occupational health care, I was told that I had to answer a survey. I had not even seen it, even though I have been using the app for many years.
Utilising Chat GPT
I asked:
- What is the radiation dose from a standard chest x-ray?
- How many days of background radiation does a chest x-ray equate?
- Is x-ray radiation dangerous
The AI answered the questions mostly well. Many ordinary citizens would not have noticed the mistakes in the answers. Because I’m working as a radiographer, I noticed that the answers were partly incorrect. The AI said that X-rays are not dangerous, but it claimed that the radiation dose is much higher than it is in Finland. The AI’s way of answering the questions was really positive, not just realistic.
Today, a doctor can dictate, for example, ”two weeks of sick leave and ibuprofen for five days,” and AI will create a certificate and referral. The doctor just has to approve them. This will definitely speed up the work a lot.
The EU and Finland have really strict requirements for AI. I believe that every AI-based function that comes into use in Finland has been carefully researched and tested. I really hope that we are using AI more in the future. It helps a lot with process that you have to do really many times every day.
Self evaluation
I see digitalization as a significant part of my own work. I immediately implement new digital applications and software because I feel it makes my work so much easier.
I expect that at some point we will be able to use AI more in the hospital. Artificial intelligence should not make decisions independently, but it could facilitate and speed up frequently repeated process steps. A person must always make the approval and decision.
I learned something new from GDPR. I could study more about it because it will probably also be related to my future profession.
Blogs that I commented: