1
|
Rudisill KE, Mathur N, Kalyanpur A. A teleradiology network for the improvement of healthcare and patient management in the developing countries of the African continent. Clin Imaging 2024; 111:110188. [PMID: 38759600 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2024.110188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Africa is the second-largest continent on Earth in terms of both size and population. However, inaccessibility and shortfall of trained radiologists impede the delivery of adequate healthcare to such a large population. Teleradiology holds considerable potential in improving patient outcomes and healthcare delivery in African nations by furnishing timely interpretation of radiological examinations, particularly in those areas where there is a particular scarcity of radiologists. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of teleradiology in the improvement of healthcare and patient management in the developing countries of the African continent. METHODS In this retrospective study, from January 2017 and December 2022, the scans of a cohort of patients from eight African countries were uploaded to the teleradiology cloud server and interpreted by board certified radiologists empanelled by a teleradiology service provider. RESULTS The telehealth model proposed in the study was seen to provide timely and quality reporting of 58,223 scans of 39,513 patients with a mean turn-around-time (TAT) of 2.46 h 95 % CI (2.44-2.48). DISCUSSION A dedicated teleradiology model designed in this study allowed the interpretation and analysis of the scans of the cohort of patients from hospitals in African countries by teleradiologists via high quality DICOM-image transfer over a cloud-based platform. The outcomes of our investigation reflect that teleradiology provides an effective solution for early diagnosis/interpretation of examinations performed in Africa. Further, the currently proposed teleradiology model may be used for other developing countries across the world to improve quality of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn E Rudisill
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
| | - Neetika Mathur
- Image Core Lab, Plot No. 7G, Opposite Graphite India, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560048, India.
| | - Arjun Kalyanpur
- Teleradiology Solutions, Plot No. 7G, Opposite Graphite India, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560048, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sakafu L, Kiango V, Khasim Z, Shoo A, Ndossa M, Kagaruki G, Manyama D, Magandi J, Lee AY. Radiation safety in an era of diagnostic radiology growth in Africa: Lessons learned from Tanzania. Clin Imaging 2023; 102:65-70. [PMID: 37625349 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE As radiology continues to grow in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), radiation exposure and risk to patients and staff will concurrently increase. This study aims to assess the knowledge of radiation safety among medical staff in Tanzania. METHODS A survey was distributed to 350 staff members at a national referral hospital in Tanzania over a 7-month period (February-August 2021). This consisted of a structured questionnaire evaluating participants' knowledge and awareness ionizing radiation and radiation safety. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine the association between independent and dependent categorical variables. RESULTS A total of 300 surveys were completed (86% response rate). Mean age was 31 and 53% of participants were female. The majority (89%) were clinical staff employed in direct patient care. Most reported having heard of radiation protection (85%) but only 61% reported receiving training in radiation protection. Regarding radiation knowledge, 73% correctly answered how to protect oneself from radiation and 74% knew which medical staff were at greater risk of radiation exposure. However, only 32% correctly answered which imaging tests emit more radiation and only 53% correctly answered which age group was at greatest risk of radiation effects. Non-clinical staff had a significantly lower radiation awareness than clinical staff, with 69.7% reporting having heard about radiation protection, compared to 88.3% of clinical staff (p = 0.004). Female participants were more knowledgeable of radiation risks in pregnancy (p = 0.002). More early career staff reported receiving radiation protection training (64.5%) compared to those with >5 years work experience (53.9%), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). When stratifying radiation knowledge by high (score of 80-100%), moderate (60-79.9%) and low (<60%), 20% of participants scored high, 47% moderate, and 33% low. CONCLUSION Most staff had low to moderate knowledge on radiation safety. Our findings highlight the importance of education on ionizing radiation as medical imaging continues to rise in Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Sakafu
- Department of Radiology, Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Violet Kiango
- Department of Radiology, Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Zuwena Khasim
- Department of Radiology, Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Aikankira Shoo
- Department of Radiology, Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mariam Ndossa
- Department of Radiology, Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gibson Kagaruki
- National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Deogratius Manyama
- Department of Surgery, Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Julieth Magandi
- Department of Surgery, Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Amie Y Lee
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alemayehu TG, Bogale GG, Bazie GW. Occupational radiation exposure dose and associated factors among radiology personnel in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286400. [PMID: 37228161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ionizing radiation is being used more frequently in medicine, which has been linked to recognized biological effects such as cancer and mortality. Radiology services are becoming more widely available in Ethiopian health facilities but there is no compiled record of worker's radiation dose. So, assessing the magnitude and identifying the associated factors of occupational radiation exposure dose among radiology personnel help to design strategies for radiation protection. OBJECTIVE The study was designed to assess the occupational radiation exposure dose and associated factors among radiology personnel in eastern Amhara, northeast Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS Cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25 to April 30, 2021, in 57 health institutions among 198 radiology personnel. The study comprised all eligible radiology personnel. The data were collected using an electronic-based (Google form) self-administered questionnaire, and document review. The data were entered into an excel spread sheet and then, exported to Stata 14 software. Linear regression model was used to analyse the data after checking its assumptions. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 were entered into a multiple linear regression analysis, and those with a p-value < 0.05 were judged significant. VIF was used to check for multi-collinearity. Coefficient of determination was used to check the model fitness. RESULTS The mean (± SD) annual shallow and deep dose equivalents of radiology personnel were 1.20 (± 0.75) and 1.02 (± 0.70) mSv, respectively. Body mass index (β = 0.104, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.14), practice of timing (β = -0.43, 95% CI: -0.73, -0.13), working experience (β = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.048, -0.032), and practice of distancing (β = -0.26, 95% CI: -0.49, -0.17) were found to be statistically significant factors of annual deep dose equivalent. In addition, body mass index (β = 0.113, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.15), practice of timing (β = -0.62 95% CI: -0.93, -0.31) and, working experience (β = -0.044, 95% CI: -0.053, -0.036 had statistically significant associations with annual shallow dose equivalent. CONCLUSION The annual dose equivalents were two times higher than the global average of annual per caput effective dose due to medical exposure. Body mass index, practice of timing, working experience, and practice of distancing were factors of occupational radiation exposure dose. Strategies focusing on increasing the skill, experience, and lifestyle of radiology personnel would be supreme important means to reduce occupational radiation exposure dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Getahun Gebre Bogale
- Department of Health Informatics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Getaw Walle Bazie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences School of Public Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hricak H, Abdel-Wahab M, Atun R, Lette MM, Paez D, Brink JA, Donoso-Bach L, Frija G, Hierath M, Holmberg O, Khong PL, Lewis JS, McGinty G, Oyen WJG, Shulman LN, Ward ZJ, Scott AM. Medical imaging and nuclear medicine: a Lancet Oncology Commission. Lancet Oncol 2021; 22:e136-e172. [PMID: 33676609 PMCID: PMC8444235 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30751-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer requires access to imaging to ensure accurate management decisions and optimal outcomes. Our global assessment of imaging and nuclear medicine resources identified substantial shortages in equipment and workforce, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). A microsimulation model of 11 cancers showed that the scale-up of imaging would avert 3·2% (2·46 million) of all 76·0 million deaths caused by the modelled cancers worldwide between 2020 and 2030, saving 54·92 million life-years. A comprehensive scale-up of imaging, treatment, and care quality would avert 9·55 million (12·5%) of all cancer deaths caused by the modelled cancers worldwide, saving 232·30 million life-years. Scale-up of imaging would cost US$6·84 billion in 2020-30 but yield lifetime productivity gains of $1·23 trillion worldwide, a net return of $179·19 per $1 invested. Combining the scale-up of imaging, treatment, and quality of care would provide a net benefit of $2·66 trillion and a net return of $12·43 per $1 invested. With the use of a conservative approach regarding human capital, the scale-up of imaging alone would provide a net benefit of $209·46 billion and net return of $31·61 per $1 invested. With comprehensive scale-up, the worldwide net benefit using the human capital approach is $340·42 billion and the return per dollar invested is $2·46. These improved health and economic outcomes hold true across all geographical regions. We propose actions and investments that would enhance access to imaging equipment, workforce capacity, digital technology, radiopharmaceuticals, and research and training programmes in LMICs, to produce massive health and economic benefits and reduce the burden of cancer globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hedvig Hricak
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
| | - May Abdel-Wahab
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Division of Human Health, Vienna, Austria; Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Rifat Atun
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Diana Paez
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Division of Human Health, Vienna, Austria
| | - James A Brink
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lluís Donoso-Bach
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Ola Holmberg
- Radiation Protection of Patients Unit, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pek-Lan Khong
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jason S Lewis
- Department of Radiology and Molecular Pharmacology Programme, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Departments of Pharmacology and Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Geraldine McGinty
- Departments of Radiology and Population Science, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; American College of Radiology, Reston, VA, USA
| | - Wim J G Oyen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lawrence N Shulman
- Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zachary J Ward
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew M Scott
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jackson J, Muhogora WE, Makundi IN. CHALLENGES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE OF CR MAMMOGRAPHY IN TANZANIA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2019; 184:109-115. [PMID: 30445643 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical practice of CR mammography in Tanzania. The equipment performance and operational conditions were studied; and mean glandular dose (DG) estimated to 75 women undergoing diagnosis at three mammography facilities. All mammograms during this study were reported to be useful for the intended diagnosis. The median DG for craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique projections ranged from 1.27 ± 0.18 mGy to 1.9 ± 0.27 mGy and from 1.3 ± 0.18 mGy to 1.9 ± 0.27 mGy, respectively, and were below the national regulatory guidance of 2.5 mGy. Despite this positive result, unavoidable inappropriate use of beam quality and tube loading settings which could have been through appropriate staff training and performing routine quality control were not uncommon. This work provides an insight of current operational conditions of CR in Tanzania and what strategy should be employed to this service to improve patient care in the country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jofrey Jackson
- Physics Department, University of Dar es Salaam, Uvumbuzi Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Ismael N Makundi
- Physics Department, University of Dar es Salaam, Uvumbuzi Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| |
Collapse
|