Professor Valentin Sinitsyn, Doctor of Medical Sciences, discusses the importance of internet infrastructure for radiological diagnostics in his article.
Sinitsyn holds the position of head of the radiological diagnostics department at the University Clinic, is 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 is also the president of the Russian Society of Radiologists and Radiologists (ROPR).
Here is the text:
“The emergence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence has significantly transformed radiological diagnostics. An important aspect of its successful functioning is the integration of all components.
The effective operation of modern diagnostic systems requires a combination of the latest equipment, professionally trained doctors, digital archives of images and reports, as well as reliable telecommunications networks that connect diagnostic offices with local, regional, and national healthcare services.
It should be noted that the effectiveness and accessibility of radiological diagnostics depend not only on the characteristics of the equipment (for example, the performance of tomographs) but also on the speed of transmitting critically important information.
Modern radiology is characterized by significant volumes of transmitted data (up to 1-2 gigabytes per study) for CT, MRI, or PET-CT. Teleradiology and telemedicine are becoming increasingly widespread, allowing doctors to analyze studies from a great distance from the equipment.
Moreover, many studies today undergo preliminary processing using artificial intelligence (AI) systems, which also occurs in remote specialized centers, followed by the transmission of data over long distances.
High-speed internet (high bandwidth internet channels) has become a critically important element for radiological diagnostics and medicine as a whole.
Incorrect or delayed diagnosis due to data transmission delays can have serious negative consequences for patients in emergency situations, slowing down or distorting treatment and worsening prognosis. Rapid information transmission for emergency interpretation allows for quicker diagnosis and initiation of treatment, which directly impacts patients' survival chances.
High-speed internet helps eliminate territorial disparities, providing residents of remote or sparsely populated areas with access to quality diagnostics.
Additionally, it grants doctors of all specialties access to cloud archives of diagnostic images (PACS), AI systems for data analysis, and the ability to conduct collective discussions of complex cases, involving experts and consultants from anywhere in the country and even the world. Delays in data transmission can render these technologies ineffective.
From all of the above, it is evident that high-speed internet has become not just a convenient tool for diagnostic doctors but a fundamental element of the entire healthcare system, ensuring the speed, accuracy, and accessibility of the modern diagnostic process.
Investments in digital infrastructure in the medical field are investments in the quality and timeliness of medical care for every patient.”
Previously, Professor Igor Pershukov noted that modern science has a global nature, and fast stable access to international medical and scientific resources is critically important for the effective work of scientists. 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.
