Medical reports, especially those in radiology, are often filled with terminology that can overwhelm even the most diligent patient. Now, Stanford researchers are changing the landscape with RadGPT, a large language model designed to translate complex radiology reports into straightforward, accessible language.
This innovation puts patients in control by making their own health information more understandable and actionable.
Transforming Reports with Artificial Intelligence
RadGPT utilizes cutting-edge AI to analyze radiology reports from various imaging modalities, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds. The tool identifies key findings and rephrases them in plain English, sometimes using analogies to make diagnoses relatable.
Instead of confronting medical jargon, patients receive clear summaries that highlight what really matters for their health.
Empowering Patients Through Clarity
Access to medical records became a legal right in the U.S. with the 21st Century Cures Act, but comprehension has lagged behind accessibility. RadGPT addresses this gap by not only simplifying reports but also generating common questions and suggested follow-ups.
This encourages patients to actively participate in their care, leading to more meaningful discussions with healthcare providers and potentially better health outcomes.
Rigorous Development and Expert Validation
The Stanford team meticulously curated 30 radiology reports, extracting five main concepts from each for a total of 150. For every concept, they wrote explanations and created three question-and-answer pairs. These were rigorously reviewed by five expert radiologists, who verified the explanations’ accuracy and safety.
This process ensures that patients receive reliable and clear information without risk of misunderstanding.
Focusing on Safety and Reliability
Importantly, RadGPT does not interpret medical images on its own. Instead, it works with reports created by qualified radiologists, reinforcing that human expertise remains at the core of patient care.
According to study lead Sanna Herwald, the team prioritized safety, and their findings showed that RadGPT's plain-language materials were suitable for patient use without modification. This makes the tool a trustworthy source for real-time explanations, especially when patients receive urgent or unexpected results.
Supporting Radiologists and Enhancing Care
While RadGPT is primarily patient-focused, it also supports radiologists by automating explanations of routine findings. This has the potential to streamline workflow, boost productivity, and alleviate burnout, a significant issue in the field.
Senior author Curtis Langlotz notes that when patients understand their reports, they are better equipped to ask meaningful questions, ultimately improving the quality of care and communication between patients and providers.
The Future of Patient-Friendly Healthcare
RadGPT’s journey is just beginning. While more clinical trials and validations are underway, the model signals a shift toward greater transparency and patient empowerment in healthcare.
As AI technologies continue to improve, tools like RadGPT could become standard, ensuring that everyone, regardless of medical background, can confidently engage with their health information and make informed decisions.
Source
Adapted from Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI: New Large Language Model Helps Patients Understand Their Radiology Reports
AI in Radiology: RadGPT is Making Medical Reports Patient-Friendly