Australia Launches First AI Radiology Trial in Public Hospital to Address Diagnostic Delays

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Griffith University and Gold Coast Health have launched Australia’s first trial of artificial intelligence in radiology at a public hospital, aiming to address a shortage of radiologists and improve the speed and accuracy of medical diagnoses. The project is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant of AU$1M.

Trial Overview

The two-year initiative is being conducted at Gold Coast University Hospital in Southport, Queensland. Led by Professor Paula Brough, Director of Griffith University’s Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, the trial brings together researchers and healthcare professionals to address delays in patient diagnoses caused by a national shortage of radiologists. The project uses AI to assist radiologists in analyzing medical images, including X-rays and CT scans. Five studies will assess AI’s impact on staff wellbeing, workflow productivity, cost-effectiveness, clinical accuracy, and the potential for wider adoption in public hospitals.

Radiology Workforce Pressures

Queensland Health has reported prolonged wait times for diagnostic imaging as the country faces ongoing shortages of qualified radiologists. AI has shown effectiveness internationally in detecting conditions such as lung cancer and bone fractures.

AI in Australia’s Private Health Sector

Several private healthcare providers in Australia have already integrated AI into their radiology services. I-MED Radiology Network, the country’s largest medical imaging provider, has implemented Annalise CXR, an AI decision-support tool for chest X-rays, across its 250 clinics. This tool helps over 400 radiologists identify a wide range of findings to improve diagnostic workflows and reduce reporting times.

Sonic Imaging Australia has also adopted the Annalise Enterprise Platform in more than 100 radiology clinics and hospitals, including Epworth Hospitals in Melbourne and Geelong, Mater Hospitals in Brisbane and regional Queensland, Greenslopes Hospital, QEII Jubilee, Sunnybank, Gold Coast Private, and St Vincent’s Toowoomba Hospitals.

St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside in Brisbane has introduced an AI-backed robotic imaging system to enhance its diagnostic capabilities. These examples highlight the growing trend of AI adoption in Australia’s private healthcare sector, in contrast to the limited use in public hospitals to date.

Implementation and Oversight

The trial operates within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct and utilizes Griffith University’s Clinical Trial Unit and hospital facilities. Hospital workflows, staff and patient feedback, and data privacy and ethics concerns are being closely monitored. The project includes chief investigators from Gold Coast Health and a consumer advocate to ensure alignment with patient care priorities. Queensland Health and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) are observing the trial for its potential to inform policy development across Australia and New Zealand.

AI Benefits and Challenges

Potential benefits of AI in radiology include reducing diagnostic errors, improving image analysis speed, and alleviating radiologist workloads, which may enable faster treatment for patients. AI can also help streamline processes and reduce costs. However, concerns remain regarding patient data security, the risk of over-reliance on AI systems, and algorithmic bias, particularly if AI models are trained on limited datasets. The trial aims to develop guidelines for the responsible use of AI in medical imaging. Investments in technology and staff training will be needed for broader implementation.

Broader Context and Outlook

Globally, AI-driven radiology systems are in use for lung cancer screening and stroke detection, but the adoption in Australia’s public hospitals has faced funding and regulatory barriers. The NHMRC’s support for this project reflects growing interest in digital health innovation within public healthcare. Griffith’s Clinical Trial Unit has prior experience in medical research and will provide ongoing evaluation throughout the project.

If successful, the trial could inform the rollout of AI technologies in public hospitals across Australia, helping to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes. Australia is developing regulatory frameworks to support transparency and accountability in AI use in healthcare, with findings from this trial expected to inform these efforts.

The trial is scheduled to run until 2027. Its outcomes may influence healthcare policies in Australia and similar health systems facing high patient demand and limited resources.

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Source: AllAboutAI, RegentsHealth, I-MED Radiology, Annalise, St. Vincent’s Private Hospitals, Griffith University

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