Reviewed by Lexie CornerFeb 6 2025
Researchers from Flinders University assessed the potential of a cardiac artificial intelligence (AI) tool recently tested in South Australian hospitals to support physicians and nurses in diagnosing heart conditions in emergency rooms. The study, published in the International Journal of Medical Informatics, used an advanced AI evaluation platform.
AI is becoming more common in healthcare, but it doesn’t always fit in smoothly with the vital work of our doctors and nurse.
Dr. Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza, Research Fellow, Flinders University
Dr. de Plaza added, “We need to confirm these systems are trustworthy and work consistently for everyone, ensuring they are able to support medical teams rather than slowing them down.”
PROLIFERATE_AI, a human-centered assessment tool developed by Dr. Pinero de Plaza and her team, evaluates AI technologies in hospitals by combining researcher analysis with AI.
“In order to understand if the AI systems are viable, we look at how easy they are to use, how well doctors and nurses adopt them, and how they impact patient care. It is not just about making AI accurate; it’s about making sure it is easy to understand, adaptable, and genuinely helpful for doctors and patients when it matters most,” stated Dr. Pinero de Plaza.
The study applied PROLIFERATE_AI to assess the RAPIDx AI tool, designed to assist emergency physicians in diagnosing cardiac conditions by rapidly analyzing clinical and biochemical data.
With chest pain being a common reason for emergency department visits, the South Australian health system participated in an NHMRC-funded study across 12 metropolitan and rural hospitals. The study is now analyzing 12-month patient outcomes.
Before and during the study, the PROLIFERATE researchers evaluated the tool while medical and nursing staff at participating hospitals provided feedback on their experiences using RAPIDx AI.
The findings indicated that experienced physicians, including emergency department consultants and registrars, demonstrated strong comprehension and engagement with the RAPIDx AI tool. However, less experienced users, such as residents and interns, encountered usability challenges.
Registered nurses reported significant emotional engagement with the tool, recognizing its potential to improve patient safety by reducing diagnostic uncertainty.
Dr. Pinero de Plaza added, “What sets PROLIFERATE_AI apart is its ability to provide actionable insights. Rather than focusing solely on technical performance, we evaluate AI tools based on real-world usability and clinician trust, ensuring that these technologies are not just innovative but also practical and accessible. We want to set a new standard for AI implementation, fundamental care, and evaluation standards, starting with emergency medicine.”
While the study found that consultants and registrars benefited most from RAPIDx AI, it also emphasized the need for tailored training and workflow-integrated interfaces to improve adoption rates among less experienced users. Additionally, clinicians expressed a preference for greater automation in data integration within the user interface.
The findings highlight the importance of designing AI tools with end users in mind.
“Our goal is to create AI solutions that empower doctors and nurses, not replace them. Technology alone cannot solve the complexities of emergency care. We need AI systems that work seamlessly with clinicians, support decision-making under pressure, and integrate smoothly into existing workflows. We are committed to enhancing our AI tools to ensure they are instinctively user-friendly and to develop customized training programs that meet the diverse needs of healthcare professionals and others,” Dr. de Plaza added.
In January 2025, the team received a CSIRO award from the On PRIME innovation program ($5000) to further refine the predictive modeling and implementation science tool.
The study authors are Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza, Kristina Lambrakis, Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, Alline Beleigoli, Mandy Archibald, Lalit Yadav, Penelope McMillan, Robyn Clark, Michael Lawless, Erin Morton, Jeroen Hendriks, Alison Kitson, Renuka Visvanathan, Derek P. Chew, and Carlos Javier Barrera Causil.
The research was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), grant number GNT1191914.
Journal Reference:
de Plaza, M. A. P. et. al. (2025) Human-centred AI for emergency cardiac care: Evaluating RAPIDx AI with PROLIFERATE_AI. International Journal of Medical Informatics. doi.org//10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2025.105810