Copenhagen, Denmark
Onsite/Online

ESTRO 2022

Session Item

Sunday
May 08
14:15 - 15:30
Auditorium 15
RTTs: AI and digital awareness
Grete May Engeseth, Norway;
Ingrid Kristensen, Sweden
2420
Symposium
RTT
14:15 - 14:40
The changing face of the RTT profession in the AI environment
Caitlin Gillan, Canada
SP-0541

Abstract

The changing face of the RTT profession in the AI environment
Authors:

Caitlin Gillan1, Brian Hodges2, David Wiljer2, Mark Dobrow3

1University Health Network, Joint Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto, Canada; 2University Health Network, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; 3University of Toronto, Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Toronto, Canada

Show Affiliations
Abstract Text

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare will require consideration of employment, training, education, and professional regulation. Recognizing that we are best served by taking a proactive approach to considering the nature and potential scope of AI, both in its benefit to our patients and in its impact on healthcare and those who practice it, it is important that we equip ourselves to engage in the relevant conversations. In radiation medicine we find ourselves at a crossroads, where our professions need to decide how they envision the impact of AI in our practice, and how we can collaboratively define appropriate AI-enabled care alongside society, industry, and other stakeholders.

Gains in quality and efficiency in radiation medicine practice will require new workflows, skills and even models of care for all relevant professional groups. As we work to separate the reality from the hype, the cautious optimism from the fearmongering, and the human opportunities from the expansion of technology, we can begin to prepare for the future. Doing so will require an acknowledgement that we are not simply replacing humans with AI within the existing model of radiation medicine practice, but rather fundamentally disrupting practice by augmenting human abilities.

This session will highlight the professional, ethical, regulative, and educational considerations around AI that should be as equally emphasized as the clinical and technical advancements in order to ensure responsible integration while maximizing potential. Technology is only as good as the people and system equipped to support it.