As artificial intelligence and advanced diagnostic technologies transform healthcare, the industry is navigating the need for faster and more accurate diagnosis while keeping services affordable and focusing on what patients truly need. Diagnostics experts believe that technology should support clinical decision-making while maintaining the role of qualified healthcare professionals in diagnosis and patient care.
Dr. S.S. Doda, Founder Director & Chief Consultant Radiologist at Dr. Doda’s Diagnostics & Healthcare told Times Now Digital, “I believe AI will become one of the most important technologies in diagnostics, but I see it as an assistant to the us clinicians rather than a replacement. In imaging, AI can help identify and prioritise abnormalities, assist with measurements and comparisons with previous studies, and potentially improve workflow. In pathology and laboratory medicine, AI can help with pattern recognition, quality control and workflow optimisation. The other major opportunity is operational. AI can help with scheduling, call-centre queries, report workflows, quality checks and communication with patients. That can reduce avoidable delays and allow our clinical teams to concentrate more on the areas where human expertise matters most. Ultimately, the benefit for the patient should be better accuracy, faster turnaround, greater convenience and potentially lower costs. There is an important principle- AI should augment clinical judgement, not replace it. The responsibility for diagnosis and patient care must remain with qualified healthcare professionals.”
Speaking about the challenges facing the diagnostics industry at the moment, Dr. S.S. Doda said, “first, pricing pressure. There is intense competition, and patients understandably look for affordability, but excessive price competition can make it difficult to maintain investments in technology and skilled manpower. Second, manpower. Good radiologists, pathologists, technologists and other skilled professionals are critical to diagnostics, and retaining high-quality talent is becoming increasingly important. Third, technology and capital investment. Diagnostic technology changes rapidly. Centres have to continuously invest in equipment, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and quality systems. And fourth is patient expectations. Patients today want convenience, quick appointments, home collection, rapid reporting and digital access, but they also expect accuracy and personal attention. So I think the industry’s challenge is to achieve the right balance between affordability, accuracy, speed and sustainability.”
On what will continue to drive growth and profitability in the diagnostics industry, he said, “profitability cannot come simply from increasing volumes. It has to come from improving the quality of the revenue mix and operating efficiency. The growth drivers we see are increasing demand for preventive health checks, chronic disease monitoring, advanced imaging, women’s health, cardiac diagnostics and home-based services. There is also a growing expectation from patients for convenient appointments, digital access, faster reports and home sample collection. We already have a comprehensive platform-from MRI, CT and ultrasound to X-ray, laboratory, DEXA, CBCT, Echo and TMT-and our opportunity is to make better use of that platform while expanding selectively. In the next five years, we see growth coming from a combination of volume, better utilisation, technology, new services and strategic partnerships-not simply from discounting. In diagnostics, the cheapest test is not necessarily the best business model; sustainable growth comes from quality, efficiency and patient trust, Dr. S.S. Doda stated.
‘Industry Must Strike A Balance Between Affordability, Accuracy, Speed And Sustainability’: Diagnostics Experts
