In his article, Professor Valentin Sinitsyn, Doctor of Medical Sciences, discusses the role of internet infrastructure in the development of radiological diagnostics.
Valentin Sinitsyn holds the position of head of the radiological diagnostics department at the University Clinic and is also the head of the department of radiological diagnostics and therapy at the Faculty of Fundamental Medicine of the M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University and the president of the Russian Society of Radiologists and Radiologists (ROPR).
Text of the article:
“Modern radiological diagnostics have undergone significant changes due to the implementation of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. It is important to understand that for its effective functioning, the integration of all components is necessary.
This integration implies the unification of modern equipment, qualified doctors, and digital archives of images and reports through telecommunication networks that connect diagnostic offices with local, regional, and national healthcare services.
It should be noted that the main factor affecting the efficiency and accessibility of radiological diagnostics is not only the characteristics of the equipment (such as high operating parameters of tomographs) but also the speed of transmission of critically important information.
Modern radiology is characterized by significant volumes of transmitted data (from 1 to 2 gigabytes per study) for CT, MRI, or PET-CT. Teleradiology and telemedicine are becoming increasingly widespread, allowing doctors who describe studies to be located a considerable distance from the equipment.
Moreover, more and more studies undergo preliminary processing using artificial intelligence systems, which is also done remotely, in specialized computer centers, with data transmission over long distances.
High-speed internet (with high bandwidth) has become a decisive factor for radiological diagnostics and medicine as a whole.
Delayed diagnostics due to data transmission delays can have serious consequences for patients in emergency situations, leading to delayed or incorrect treatment and worsening prognosis. Rapid data transmission for urgent reporting allows for faster diagnosis and initiation of treatment, which directly affects patient survival.
High-speed internet eliminates territorial inequality, providing residents of remote and sparsely populated areas with quality diagnostics.
Access to cloud archives of diagnostic images (PACS) and artificial intelligence systems for data analysis opens up new opportunities for doctors of all specialties, including collective discussion of complex cases and involvement of experts from anywhere in the country and the world. Delays in data transmission make these technologies ineffective.
From this brief list of factors, it becomes clear that high-speed internet is no longer just a convenient tool for diagnostic doctors. It has become a fundamental element of the entire healthcare system, ensuring the speed, accuracy, and accessibility of diagnostics.
Investments in the digital infrastructure of medicine are investments in the quality and timeliness of medical care for every patient.”
Previously, Professor Igor Pershukov emphasized that modern science has a global nature, and for scientists to work effectively, fast and stable access to international medical and scientific resources is critically important. Poor internet quality, delays, and overloaded channels reduce the effectiveness of scientific activity. The full text of the article can be read by following the link.
