The medical imaging and diagnostics industry has emerged from the disruption it faced during the pandemic. We look at how technologies such as artificial intelligence impact the industry, recent trends shaping it, and how clinicians use imaging to provide better patient care.
Accurate diagnosis is the most critical aspect of healthcare, and diagnostic imaging is decisive in a patient’s journey towards surgery or medical treatment. Current technological advancements in diagnostic imaging devices and rising incidences of chronic diseases coupled with the rapidly aging population and rising awareness for early diagnosis of clinical disorders are some key factors that are expected to boost the growth of the market.
According to an industry report, the global medical imaging market size was valued at USD 28.02 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2030. Increasing demand for point-of-care imaging systems and the introduction of technologically advanced medical equipment have led to market growth.
The pace of technological developments within the medical imaging and diagnostics industry has quickened in recent years and will continue to do so. In the coming years, most hospitals will look towards informatics to assist the radiology department. Informatics provides data, analysis, and insights about how well a department is doing and utilizing its assets, as well as insights into productivity improvement strategies.
Major Technological Innovations in Medical Imaging Industry
1. Data analytics
The proliferation of technology has made it easier to choose the right imaging hardware and software providers. This, in turn, leads to better image quality, lesser processing time and greater efficiency in maintenance. Today, hospitals are exploring data-driven solutions to increase their operational efficiencies. They are also looking to find ways to achieve more with fewer resources.
2. Cloud technology
The benefits of cloud solutions, such as their cost-effectiveness and predictability, unlimited scalability and deployment flexibility, have increased their adoption in the medical imaging industry. The industry has unending growth in image data volumes, coupled with long-term data retention policies in place, making traditional storage upgrade and scale-up mechanisms clearly unsustainable over the long run.
Cloud-based solutions have made it possible for medical image studies to be archived in a long-term, cost-effective manner. While many providers have adopted these technologies, there is actually so much more to cloud computing than simply storing data.
3. Artificial Intelligence
While artificial intelligence won’t replace radiologists, it will complement their capabilities significantly. In fact, AI can analyze an image before it goes to the radiologist, allowing them to pick up images flagged by AI rather than browsing through thousands of images. This will help triage and reach out to patients who need urgent care, improve clinical outcomes for the entire hospital, and save the time needed for routine examinations.
The medical imaging technology industry is embracing change, as the avenues for precision imaging are clearer than ever before. This allows medical imaging to play a more important role in the wider paradigm of precision medicine. Technology is becoming essential for improving workflows, strengthening patient data security and enabling remote access to imaging systems.
Evolution in Medical Imaging Practice
In the past, radiologists were confined to their dark rooms, where they would read and interpret images. Today, they have come out of their reading rooms and are interacting more frequently with referring physicians. Increased collaboration is bound to improve clinical outcomes by providing patients with better access to information about their health. This change is happening as part of patient-centric care.
AI is increasingly being used in clinical support, helping radiologists triage images. This has enabled radiologists to play a key role in patient care, ensuring that patients get the right treatment at the right time. AI-based digital diagnostic platforms like Prodigi.ai provides diagnostic establishments to avail highly capable radiologists and help radiologists with an opportunity to experience cutting-edge technology and solutions for radiology.
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