JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic drove investment and research into medical imaging platforms to provide data to create AI/ML algorithms for the management of patients with COVID-19. Building on the success of England’s National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database, the national digital policy body (NHSX) sought to create a generalized national medical imaging platform for the development, validation and deployment of algorithms.

Objective:

Understanding international use cases of medical imaging platforms for the development and implementation of algorithms to inform the creation of England’s national imaging platform.

Methods:

The NHS AI Lab Policy and Strategy Team took a phased approach: (i) identification and prioritization of national AI imaging platforms; (ii) PESTLE analysis deep dive into national AI imaging platforms; (iii) semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders; (iv) workshop on emerging themes and insights with internal NHSX team, and (v) formulation of policy recommendations.

Results:

International use cases of national AI imaging platforms (n=7) were prioritized for PESTLE analysis. Stakeholders (n=13) from the international use cases were interviewed. Themes (n=8) from the semi-structured interviews, including interview quotes, were analyzed with workshop participants (n=5). The outputs of the deep dives, interviews and workshop were synthesized thematically into eight categories with 17 sub-categories. Based on the insights from the international use cases, policy recommendations (n=12) were developed to support the NHS AI Lab in the design and development of the English national medical imaging platform.

Conclusions:

The creation of AI/ML algorithms, supporting technology and infrastructure, such as platforms, often happens in isolation within countries, let alone between countries. This novel policy research project sought to bridge the gap by learning from the challenges, successes and experience of England’s international counterparts. Policy recommendations based on international learnings focused on: demonstrable benefits of the platform to secure sustainable funding; validation of algorithms and infrastructure to support in-situ deployment, and creating wrap-around tools for non-technical participants such as clinicians to engage with algorithm creation. As healthcare organizations increasingly adopt technological solutions, policymakers have a responsibility to ensure initiatives are informed by learnings from both national and international initiatives, as well as disseminate the outcomes of their work.