Evaluation of the impact of Technical Physicians on improving healthcare with personalized technology

Abstract

IntroductionThe rapid introduction of technical innovations in healthcare requires that professionals are adequately prepared for correct clinical use of medical technology. In response to the technological transformation of healthcare, a new type of professional, the Technical Physician (TP), was created, and is trained to improve individual patient care using personalized technology. This study investigates the TPs’ impact on patient care in terms of innovation, efficiency, effectiveness, and patient safety. MethodSemi-structured, in-depth interviews with 30 TPs and 17 medical specialists (MSs) working in academic or teaching hospitals in the Netherlands were conducted. The pre-structured and open-ended interview questions focused on: 1) the perceived impact on efficiency, effectiveness, innovation, and safety, and 2) opportunities and challenges in daily work. ResultsTPs and MSs unanimously experienced that TPs contributed to innovation. A majority indicated that efficiency (TP 67%; MS 65%) and effectiveness (TP 57%; MS 71%) of clinical practice had increased. For safety, 87% of TPs but only 47% of MSs reported an increase. The main explanation given for the positive impact of TPs was combining medical and technical knowledge. Mainly organizational barriers were mentioned as a potential cause for a less visible contribution of TPs. DiscussionTPs and MSs unanimously agreed that TPs contributed to innovating patient care through their integrative medical and technical competencies. Most TPs and MSs also reported increased effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of patient care due to the TPs’ work. TPs and MSs expected that the positive effect of the TPs will be enhanced once organizational barriers are removed.

Artificial Intelligence–based Quantification of Pleural Plaque Volume and Association With Lung Function in Asbestos-exposed Patients

“…Calcified and noncalcified portions of the plaques were both segmented as one single segment. One technical physician 17 with 2 years of experience in thoracic CT imaging (K.B.W.G.L.) reviewed all CT scans and segmentations and forwarded inconsistent segmentations to another team of radiologists (T.N.B., N.V., I.S., R.W.).…”

Artificial intelligence

“…Calcified and non-calcified portions of the plaques were both segmented as one single segmentation. One technical physician [93] with two years of experience in thoracic CT imaging (KGL) reviewed all CT scans and segmentations and forwarded inconsistent segmentations to another team of radiologists (NV, IS, RW, TB). They adjusted the segmentations of suboptimal quality (segmentation artifacts, missing plaques, etc.).…”