Reading Passage
Paragraph A
In 2010, the National Institute for Medical Innovation (NIMI), headquartered at 140 Clinical Research Lane, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, began investigating artificial intelligence to improve diagnostic accuracy in hospitals. At the time, diagnostic errors affected approximately 12% of medical cases globally. Early research between 2011 and 2013 focused on image recognition for radiology and pathology. Pilot trials demonstrated that AI-assisted systems could detect abnormalities in X-rays and MRI scans with accuracy rates exceeding 92%, suggesting strong potential for clinical decision support.
Paragraph B
Clinical deployment expanded in 2014, when NIMI partnered with 86 hospitals across the northeastern United States. AI tools were integrated into radiology departments to assist with scan interpretation. By 2017, over 3.6 million diagnostic images had been analysed using AI systems. Implementation costs averaged USD 2.4 million per hospital, funded through federal healthcare innovation grants approved in June 2013. Hospital records showed that diagnostic turnaround times were reduced by 27%.
Paragraph C
Despite promising outcomes, several challenges emerged. A 2016 survey of clinicians found that 34% were concerned about over-reliance on automated systems. Ethical questions regarding data privacy and algorithmic transparency were also raised. In addition, smaller hospitals reported difficulties integrating AI tools with existing electronic health record systems. In response, NIMI issued national clinical guidelines in 2017 and funded interoperability upgrades in facilities in Maine and Vermont.
Paragraph D
Policy support strengthened after 2018, when the Department of Health allocated USD 3.1 billion to accelerate AI adoption in public hospitals. By 2020, 62% of major medical centres in the United States were using at least one AI diagnostic application. National health statistics indicated that misdiagnosis rates declined by 18% between 2018 and 2021, reflecting improved diagnostic support.
Paragraph E
Economic and patient-care benefits were also documented. A 2022 study conducted by Harvard Medical School estimated annual savings of USD 1.2 billion due to reduced repeat testing and shorter hospital stays. Patient outcomes improved modestly, with average treatment initiation times falling by 15%. Healthcare administrators also reported improved resource allocation in imaging departments.
Paragraph F
Future developments focus on predictive and personalised medicine. NIMI plans to deploy AI systems capable of forecasting disease progression by 2033. As of January 2024, 61% of US hospitals regularly used AI-assisted diagnostic tools. Pilot projects scheduled for 2026 will test real-time clinical decision support systems in emergency departments in Chicago and Seattle.
Questions 1-4: Matching Headings
Instructions: Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list below. Write the correct Roman numeral.
List of Headings
i. Financial and patient-care improvements
ii. Early experimentation with diagnostic automation
iii. Ethical concerns and technical integration issues
iv. Large-scale hospital adoption supported by funding
v. Clinical rollout and efficiency gains
vi. Future predictive medical applications
Question 1: Paragraph B
Question 2: Paragraph C
Question 3: Paragraph D
Question 4: Paragraph E
Questions 5-8: True/False/Not Given
Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if it contradicts, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information.
Question 5
AI diagnostic tools were first tested in emergency departments.
Question 6
Some clinicians were concerned about excessive dependence on AI.
Question 7
All hospitals were able to integrate AI systems without difficulty.
Question 8
Misdiagnosis rates declined after AI adoption increased.
Questions 9-12: Table Completion
Instructions: Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Category | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Metric 1 | Description | |
| Metric 2 | Description | |
| Metric 3 | Description | |
| Metric 4 | Description |
Questions 13-16: Sentence Completion
Instructions: Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 13
AI systems achieved diagnostic accuracy above percent.
Question 14
Implementation grants were approved in .
Question 15
Annual savings were estimated at USD billion.
Question 16
Treatment initiation times fell by percent.
Questions 17-19: Summary Completion
Instructions: Complete the summary below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Summary paragraph placeholder. First gap text continues. Second gap more text. Third gap conclusion.
Questions 9-13: Short Answer Questions
Instructions: Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 9
Where is the National Institute for Medical Innovation headquartered?
Question 10
How many hospitals participated in the 2014 partnership?
Question 11
Which institution conducted the 2022 economic study?
Question 12
What percentage of hospitals used AI tools in 2024?
Question 13
In which year are emergency department pilots scheduled?