Integrated diagnostics seeks to dismantle traditional silos within medical disciplines: Dr Harsh Mahajan

By Ayushi Jain

New Delhi: Integrated diagnostics is emerging as a more prominent approach in the rapidly changing field of medical diagnostics, with the potential to completely change patient care, believes Dr Harsh Mahajan, Founder & Chairman, Mahajan Imaging and Labs.

“By combining pathology, lab medicine, radiology, nuclear medicine, and genomics, the integrated diagnostics could synthesize vast amounts of data into cohesive, actionable insights, thereby fostering deeper communication and collaboration among physicians and diagnosticians,” stated Dr Mahajan while speaking recently at the 5th edition of Neuberg Diagnostics Global Pathology & Radiology conference, ‘Pathfinders 2024’ held in Chennai on July 20-21, 2024.

Delivering his keynote speech at the conference, Dr Mahajan demystified the integrated diagnostics as an advanced form of diagnostics that seeks to dismantle the traditional silos within medical disciplines.

“Currently, departments like lab medicine, nuclear medicine, and genomics operate independently, generating voluminous and varied data. Physicians face an increasing number of tests and a huge amount of data, with limited time to make sense of it all, especially during busy outpatient department (OPD) sessions.  The need for deeply integrated systems where data, physicians, and diagnosticians can communicate seamlessly is evident. The emergence of a new integrated diagnostician is envisioned to bridge this gap. This role involves synthesizing data from various sources and providing comprehensive diagnoses to treating physicians,” he elaborated further.

“An integrated diagnostician will become a middle layer between the silo workload and all will flow to the integrated diagnostician who will then be able to make sense of it, digest it and give a complete diagnosis to the treating physician,” added Dr Mahajan.

The veteran medical imaging industry leader feels that while Artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are poised to address many of these challenges, their deployment in clinical settings has been slow due to integration challenges and high costs. “Onboarding a single AI algorithm can take months and cost tens of thousands of dollars. Moreover, robust systems are needed to support integration, testing AI algorithms in real-world scenarios, and continuously updating multiple AI algorithms across different medical departments,” he opined.

Dr Mahajan is of the firm belief that the future health checks, especially for those at high risk of cancer, will combine genomics and MRI.

Sharing a few examples, Dr Mahajan said, “One notable innovation in this field is CARPEL, an AI platform developed and incubated by Mahajan Imaging and Labs, which recently received US FDA approval. This platform is already being used by leading institutions like Harvard Medical School, Stanford, and others. Another instance is the Integrated tumor boards in oncology that allow specialists to discuss cases in real-time, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. AI algorithms, initially used for tasks like analyzing chest X-rays, will increasingly integrate with new technologies to provide comprehensive, patient-centric views, combining detailed imaging data with genomics and clinical follow-up information.”

Dr Mahajan pointed out how COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical need for robust data sharing and collaboration, exposing gaps in our ability to analyze and act on shared information. “This highlighted the necessity for more effective methodologies and rapid data-sharing engines.”

Talking about the upcoming trends, Dr Mahajan stated: “The future of integrated diagnostics lies in developing platforms that seamlessly integrate AI algorithms for real-time data sharing and analysis. These platforms must encompass multiple diagnostic layers, including genomics and imaging, to offer clinicians a unified view of patient data, enhancing predictive and preventive medicine, particularly in cancer care. Key approaches to integration include techno-commercial integration, clinical synergies, and breaking down thought process silos. Understanding the interplay between genomics and imaging, correlating genotype and phenotype data, and providing a comprehensive, patient-centric view will enable advancements like radio-genomics analytics. These innovations are not only improving the practice of diagnosticians but are also becoming part of everyday clinical use.”

Outlining the future of integrated diagnostics in India, Dr Mahajan concluded: “India, with its strong scientific and engineering base, is well-positioned to lead this transformation by developing AI algorithms tailored to local needs, thus enhancing healthcare infrastructure and outcomes. Collaboration, both among individuals and institutions, is essential for realizing integrated diagnostics. By breaking down silos, leveraging AI and fostering cooperation, the healthcare industry can revolutionize patient care, making it more efficient, accurate, and personalized.”