AI could prompt merge of radiology, pathology into one specialty

With artificial intelligence poised to take over image-centric medical domains, some health experts are urging radiologists and pathologists to consider merging into a single specialty. Advancements in deep learning have paved the way for computers to take on a bigger role in reading medical images, but that doesn't mean machines will replace radiologists and pathologists entirely, according to a viewpoint published in JAMA. Instead, the authors argue that the two specialties should merge into a single role as "information specialists," allowing computers to take over the menial tasks associated with reading images. Artificial intelligence--including IBM's Watson--can read thousands of X-rays and CT scans in a matter of minutes, identifying fractures or abnormalities far quicker than a radiologist. By adopting a modified role in order to make room for AI advancements, clinicians would oversee machine interpretations and make higher level clinical decisions by integrating information from patient charts.