Pathologists underpin every aspect of patient care, from diagnostic testing and treatment advice to using cutting-edge genetic technologies and preventing disease.
Pathologists work across 17 specialties, including haematology and cellular pathology, and carry out millions of tests daily. They are involved in 95% of patient care pathways in the NHS.
How AI can enhance diagnostic landscape
The advent of artificial intelligence can transform the diagnostic landscape, thus improving health outcomes and shortening waiting lists. While the introduction of AI in pathology is exciting, and the NHS could be a world leader in the development and use of AI in pathology, substantial work is required to fully develop AI for safe use.
Investment in digital pathology, integrated IT systems facilitating cross-organisational information sharing and pathologist training for proper AI use are essential steps.
AI can free up time for pathologists, improve laboratory workflow, enhance the accuracy of diagnosis and make patient pathways more efficient — but it will not replace the need for pathologists. They will still need to interpret and analyse information to produce an overall pathological report and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Automated iLFT speeds up liver disease care pathway
The intelligent liver function testing system (iLFT), for example, is an automated system designed to improve the early diagnosis of liver disease. It relies on algorithmic processes to automatically assess blood samples for further testing when liver disorders are suspected, which a pathologist then validates.
AI can free up time for pathologists, improve laboratory workflow, enhance the accuracy of diagnosis and make patient pathways more efficient.
As opposed to standard liver function testing (LFT) involving a range of tests, which are usually repeated several times before patients are referred to specialist treatment, iLFT contains additional tests. These additional tests are prompted by the algorithm and immediately added automatically as further tests. This means that no further samples need to be sent, reducing the number of visits for the patient to undergo additional blood tests.
iLFT speeds up referral, diagnosis and disease management and has benefited over 25,000 patients in NHS Tayside, with 30% receiving early treatment. However, replicating this across the UK will require IT investment to ensure its integration within all computer systems.
Investment in digital pathology
Adopting AI for use in pathology services depends on investment in digital pathology, which covers the collection, management, sharing and interpretation of pathology information — for example, blood tests and biopsies — in a digital environment. Developing functional and interoperable IT systems that can interrogate and seamlessly exchange information will also be essential. Only with this investment will the NHS and patients benefit from the advent of AI.
