AI could help slash surgery waiting times, Scottish researchers find

A Scottish university has found that artificial intelligence (AI) could cut waiting times for joint-replacement surgery, potentially improving the lives of thousands across Scotland.

Research by the University of Aberdeen suggests that AI could help identify the patients who are most suitable for the surgery, slashing costs and improving surgical efficiency.

Dr Luke Farrow, research lead, said: “We identified that the radiologist’s summary of X-ray findings can be successfully used to help predict which patients referred for consideration of hip replacement will go on to have surgery.  

“This is the first comprehensive study to confirm the potential of AI in this field.” 

As of December 2023, around 10,000 people in Scotland were waiting for hip-replacement surgery, triple the number of those in 2019.

52-year-old Steven Lewis, from Aberdeenshire, said the long waiting times had forced him to consider private care.

He said: “I moved to Scotland more than a year ago and have yet to find a GP that will take me.  

“I have seen the reports of people having to wait years for hip replacements and I knew I couldn’t wait that long.”

Even when sleeping, Lewis said he “couldn’t get any relief” from the chronic pain caused by his hip injury.

Lewis believes AI-enabled decision-making has “huge potential” across industries.

He added: “I have heard horror stories of people waiting years for hip replacements so if it can be used to help patients receive a swifter diagnosis and remedial surgery where required it can only be seen as a positive.”

However, the study, published in the Bone and Joint Journal, found more work is needed before the algorithm is used in different healthcare settings.  

Dr Farrow said: “The effectiveness of the developed AI algorithm deteriorated significantly when faced with radiology reports from a different healthcare setting, indicating a need for further training on a wider, more diverse population. 

“With any AI algorithm, it is important to ensure that it functions effectively in the real world.” 

It is hoped, once further developed, the tool will be available within the NHS in the next few years.