Opportunities for radiographer reporting in Ghana and the potential for improved patient care

Wuni, A.-R.; Courtier, Nicholas; Kelly, Daniel

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2019.09.011

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…In Ghana, radiographer-led reporting is thought to be the professional practice most likely to deliver local patient benefit, and there is evidence that radiographers can report select radiographs as accurately as radiologists. 256 Senior radiographers reporting appendicular skeletal trauma radiographs in a South African hospital achieved higher reporting accuracy and sensitivity than medical officers. 255 Task shifting for breast ultrasound has been initiated as an alternative to mammography in low-resource areas and is considered an appropriate option considering the absence of infrastructure for mammography programmes.…”

Section: Expansion Of the Global Diagnostics Workforce Capacitymentioning

confidence: 93%

The Lancet Commission on diagnostics: transforming access to diagnostics

et al. 2021

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1 47% of the global population has little to no access to diagnostics. 2 Diagnostics are central and fundamental to quality health care. This notion is underrecognised, leading to underfunding and inadequate resources at all levels. 3 The level of primary health care is the diagnostic so-called last mile and particularly affects poor, rural, and marginalised communities globally; appropriate access is essential for equity and social justice. 4 The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the crucial role of diagnostics in health care and that without access to diagnostics, delivery of universal health coverage, antimicrobial resistance mitigation, and pandemic preparedness cannot be achieved. 5 Innovations within the past 15 years in many areas (eg, in financing, technology, and workforce) can reduce the diagnostic gap, improve access, and democratise diagnostics to empower patients. 6 As an example of the potential impact, 1•1 million premature deaths in low-income and middle-income countries could be avoided annually by reducing the diagnostic gap for six priority conditions: diabetes, hypertension, HIV, and tuberculosis in the overall population, and hepatitis B virus infection and syphilis for pregnant women. 7 The economic case for such investment is strong. The median benefit-cost exceeds one for five of the six priority conditions in middle-income countries, and exceeds one for four of the six priority conditions in low-income countries, with a range of 1•4:1 to 24:1.Given the depth and breadth of the problems, sustained access to quality, affordable diagnostics will require multi-decade prioritisation, commitment, and investment.Incorporating diagnostics into universal health coverage packages will begin this process.

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Section: Expansion Of the Global Diagnostics Workforce Capacitymentioning

confidence: 93%

The Lancet Commission on diagnostics: transforming access to diagnostics

et al. 2021

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“…Most of the other regions of the country are faced with limited medical resources including diagnostic medical imaging equipment and infrastructure. 5 However, in line with international guidelines, 7,8 chest imaging is key in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 in Ghana. Evidence of pulmonary involvement in the pathogenesis of the COVID-19 infection can be detected on both chest X-ray (CXR) and computed tomography (CT), typically, as multifocal, bilateral, peripheral ground-glass opacities and crazy paving consolidations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ghana is a democratically stable developing country in West Africa with a population of about 30 million, 5,6 however, the medical system is heavily centred in the major cities including Accra (the capital) and Kumasi, in the centre of the country. Most of the other regions of the country are faced with limited medical resources including diagnostic medical imaging equipment and infrastructure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical radiography practice in low resource settings: The Ghanaian radiographers’ perspective

et al. 2021

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Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the professional practice of all healthcare workers, including radiographers. In the pandemic, clinical practice of radiographers was centred mostly on chest imaging of COVID-19 patients and radiotherapy treatment care delivery to those with cancer. This study aimed to assess the radiographers’ perspective on the impact of the pandemic on their wellbeing and imaging service delivery in Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional survey of practising radiographers in Ghana was conducted online from March 26th to May 6th, 2020. A previously validated questionnaire that sought information regarding demographics, general perspectives on personal and professional impact of the pandemic was used as the research instrument. Data obtained was analysed using Microsoft Excel® 2016. Results A response rate of 57.3% (134/234) was obtained. Of the respondents, 75.4% (n=101) reported to have started experiencing high levels of workplace-related stress after the outbreak. Three-quarters (n=98, 73.1%) of respondents reported limited access to any form of psychosocial support systems at work during the study period. Half (n=67, 50%) of the respondents reported a decline in general workload during the study period while only a minority (n=18, 13.4%) reported an increase in workload due to COVID-19 cases. Conclusion This national survey indicated that majority of the workforce started experiencing coronavirus-specific workplace-related stress after the outbreak. Albeit speculative, low patient confidence and fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection on hospital attendance contributed to the decline in general workload during the study period. Implications for practice In order to mitigate the burden of workplace-related stress on frontline workers, including radiographers, and in keeping to standard practices for staff mental wellbeing and patient safety, institutional support structures are necessary in similar future pandemics.

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“…Wuni at al 43 identified opportunities for role extension in radiographer reporting in Ghana, identified the need for the education, training and regulation as critical elements and Atta-Boateng found that Ghanaian radiographers were willing to extend their role into image interpretation. 44 The current study builds on this finding by exploring the role that policy plays in guiding the introduction of role extension in Ghana and identifying areas that such a policy should address.…”

Section: Ghana Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a policy framework to support role extension in diagnostic radiography in Ghana

Wuni¹,

Courtier

Kelly

2021

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

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Opportunities for radiographer reporting in Ghana and the potential for improved patient care

Abstract: 2020. Opportunities for radiographer reporting in Ghana and the potential for improved patient care. Radiography 26 (2) , e120-e125.

Cited by 16 publications

References 35 publications

The Lancet Commission on diagnostics: transforming access to diagnostics

The Lancet Commission on diagnostics: transforming access to diagnostics

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical radiography practice in low resource settings: The Ghanaian radiographers’ perspective

Developing a policy framework to support role extension in diagnostic radiography in Ghana

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