Feasibility of using teleradiology to improve tuberculosis screening and case management in a district hospital in Malawi

Coulborn, Rebecca M.; Panunzi, Isabella; Spijker, Saskia; Brant, William E.; Durán, Laura Triviño; Kosack, Cara; Murowa, Michael

doi:10.2471/blt.11.099473

Cited by 32 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(7 reference statements)

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“…Nonetheless, several studies have demonstrated that JPEGs obtained by digital photography of radiographs using limited image compression are sufficient for diagnosis in most instances, and that discrepancy rates between radiologists are the same whether JPEG images or higher-quality radiographic images are being interpreted [2].…”

Section: Technical Barriersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2011, the number of doctors in Angola was estimated at 1 for every 10,000 people, with a tremendous shortage of general radiologists and an even greater shortage of pediatrictrained radiologists [1]. Many other sub-Saharan African countries do not have a single radiologist in public service [2]. The lack of accurate radiologic interpretation, common to countries of sub-Saharan Africa, is considered a contributor to higher patient morbidity and mortality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Digital medical images and interpretations of these images can now be sent electronically from anywhere to anywhere in the world, in many cases circumventing the need for on-site radiologists, a practice method known as teleradiology. Teleradiology allows imagesharing between organizations and across national borders [2]. It has been utilized for more than 30 years and is now being adopted as a means of practice in underserved areas, providing benefits such as improved access, avoidance of unnecessary patient travel, cost savings and improved outcomes from rapid reporting and earlier and more appropriate intervention [2][3][4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Teleradiology allows imagesharing between organizations and across national borders [2]. It has been utilized for more than 30 years and is now being adopted as a means of practice in underserved areas, providing benefits such as improved access, avoidance of unnecessary patient travel, cost savings and improved outcomes from rapid reporting and earlier and more appropriate intervention [2][3][4]. A change in diagnosis subsequent to teleradiology consultation has been reported in up to 50% of cases [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A change in diagnosis subsequent to teleradiology consultation has been reported in up to 50% of cases [3]. Teleradiology has also been reported to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis, especially in settings with a high burden of HIV infection [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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World Federation of Pediatric Imaging (WFPI) volunteer outreach through tele-reading: the pilot project in South Africa

et al. 2014

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Background Shortages in radiology services are estimated to affect 3.5-4.7 billion people worldwide. Teleradiology is a potential means of alleviating this shortage. Objective This paper examines the practicality and sustainability of a pilot pediatric teleradiology project at the Khayelitsha District Hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. We analyze how this World Federation of Pediatric Imaging (WFPI) program fares against the global challenges described in the current literature facing these practice types. Materials and methods A teleradiology pilot was developed to provide coverage to the Khayelitsha District Hospital after the district pediatrician requested assistance in interpreting radiographs. This program utilized a network of WFPI volunteer pediatric radiologists, direct JPEG conversion of digital radiographic images, and an e-mail delivery system of images, referral requests and teleradiology opinion. Data were collected retrospectively from referral cards and JPEG images of radiographs, as well as from the volunteer officer database.Results A total of 555 referral cards and 1,106 radiographs were submitted for teleradiology opinion during the course of this pilot program; 74.6% of requests for image interpretation were chest radiographs and 14.2% of those were for the evaluation of tuberculosis. There were 40 volunteer teleradiologists from 17 countries; all spoke English, and 14 were bilingual (8 fluent in Spanish, 5 in Portuguese, and 1 in Italian). Conclusion Teleradiology is a viable option to alleviate radiologist shortages in underserved areas, but there are many challenges to designing an adequate teleradiology system. The WFPI pilot teleradiology program can be considered a successful one.

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Section: Technical Barriersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%