Diagnostic medical imaging services with myriads of ethical dilemmas in a contemporary healthcare context: Is artificial intelligence the solution?

This chapter provides a bird’s eye view on medical imaging intertwined within a complex evolving healthcare system context. The value of medical imaging within a medical encounter is full of appraisals for its ability to enable a diagnosis and for its role in interventional and therapeutic procedures. However, one cannot ignore the utilization of these services in high-quality care and services without taking into consideration the multitude of associated ethical dilemmas.

Various topics and themes on medical imaging are touched upon in discussions and are supported with some research evidence to flag the multiple factors to consider when a medical imaging examination is considered. The ideal would be a seamless encounter with use of best practice principles integrating ethical considerations.

However, the complexity comes in because of an expanding diverse range of stakeholders involved to enable a seamless encounter to achieve a quality health outcome. The reality of medical imaging is in constant flux with its evolving technological developments with shifting professional boundaries roles and responsibilities including upskilling. The current artificial intelligence is a typical example with its fast-paced filtration into medical imaging attracting attention and praise for its capabilities and the expectation that it has the potential to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of medical imaging services. The reality is fundamental issues of the appropriate and effective utilization of medical imaging are not yet resolved. Is artificial intelligence the solution to the daily medical imaging ethical issues?