In a ground-breaking advancement for Australian public healthcare, a collaborative research team from Griffith University and the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service (GCHHS) has secured nearly $1 million in funding to implement and evaluate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in radiology. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has awarded $999,023 over two years to support this pioneering project, marking the first Australian trial of AI integration into radiology within a public sector hospital.
Involving a multidisciplinary team of experts from Griffith University and GCHHS, the research will evaluate the introduction of AI-powered diagnostic systems to enhance efficiency and accuracy in radiology services. Leading the project is Professor Paula Brough, Director of the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing. She highlights the project’s direct response to the chronic shortage of radiologists in Australia, which has resulted in extended waiting times, delayed diagnoses, and increased risks of disease progression.
“The acute shortage of radiologists within the Queensland public health system has produced an urgent need for a refinement to their role, to increase the speed and accuracy of their diagnoses. The use of AI to assist with the diagnoses of medical images has proven to be viable and highly advantageous, both internationally and in the Australian private health sector.”
The research team is committed to ensuring that AI technology is introduced in a sustainable and scalable manner. Through five distinct projects, the study will assess the impacts of AI implementation on workforce wellbeing, productivity, economic efficiency, clinical effectiveness, and the feasibility of broader adoption across Australia’s public health system. The project is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between technology and healthcare, with two Chief Investigators serving as decision-makers within GCHHS and another holding a long-term role as a Consumer Advocate Board member.
Recognising the significance of this initiative, GCHHS has contributed an additional $650,000 in cash and in-kind support, demonstrating a strong commitment to digital workforce transformation.
Emphasising the importance of the project, Professor Brough states,
“This project is perceived by both Qld Health and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) to be a ‘test case’ of significant interest to them and informing their appetite to support and adopt this technology throughout Qld, and within other Australian and New Zealand health services.”
By closely tracking workflow changes, stakeholder perceptions, and the ethical implications of AI integration, the project will provide vital insights into how AI can be responsibly and effectively adopted in public hospitals. The findings will not only shape the future of radiology in Queensland but could also serve as a model for AI implementation in public healthcare settings nationwide.
