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Lu P, Mian M, Yii M, McArdle DJT, Rhodes A, Sreedharan S. Rising use of diagnostic imaging in Australia: An analysis of Medicare-funded radiology services between 2000 and 2021. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2024; 68:50-56. [PMID: 37797195 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13591] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of diagnostic imaging services is increasing worldwide. This has important impacts on healthcare resource allocation and potential risks to the population. This study aimed to quantify trends in medical imaging in Australia over the past two decades. METHODS Data were extracted from the Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) between 2000 and 2021. Simple linear regression analyses were performed to assess changes in absolute utilisation and utilisation rate per 100,000 population of total imaging services as well as by each imaging modality. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess changes in total imaging services as a proportion of total Medicare services over time. Chi-squared test was used to assess for change in modality composition of imaging services. RESULTS There were 436,255,500 imaging studies performed between 2000 and 2021. The absolute utilisation of total imaging services increased annually by an average of 864,404 (95% CI: 808,235-920,573, p < 0.001). For each consecutive year, the proportion of total Medicare services attributed to total imaging services increased by 0.01% (95% CI: 0.01-0.01, p < 0.01). There was also a statistically significant increase in the utilisation rates of imaging services per 100,000 population for each imaging modality. The number of imaging services per radiologist increased on average by 74 (95% CI: 26-122, p < 0.05) annually. CONCLUSION The utilisation of diagnostic imaging services has increased in Australia between 2000 and 2021, outpacing the population growth, total healthcare services, and the radiologist workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Lu
- Department of Radiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mustafa Mian
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Yii
- Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Alexander Rhodes
- Department of Radiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Radiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Nicolò M, Adraman A, Risoli C, Devetti A, Tombolesi A, Rigott IG, Migliorini M, Conversi L, Feo DD, Naro AD, Vetti E, Brazzo O, Martini C. How healthcare workers reacted to the different COVID-19 waves: An Italian survey. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2023; 54:490-494. [PMID: 37544841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2023.07.004] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on radiology departments all over the world, affecting both management and healthcare workers (HCWs). Therefore, it became challenging to guarantee high standards of diagnosis while keeping up with the workload. METHODS The study was approved by the institutional review board. Its aim was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over the radiology departments and HCWs through a survey. The questionnaire was available online from January to March 2022. Twelve areas of interest (sessions) were highlighted in the survey. RESULTS The number of total responders was 1376 and 73.7% of participants worked in public healthcare facilities. Comparisons between participants working in public versus private healthcare facilities were carried out using chi-square tests and Fisher tests. Within public healthcare workers, 82% affirmed having operating instruction protocols regarding confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient CT management (p< 0.001). Private healthcare facilities had fewer CT scanners available in general (p< 0.001); in fact, only 18% of them affirmed having two or more CT scanners, and did not have CT scanners dedicated to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients (p< 0.001). Finally, public facilities strongly reduced (by 88%) the number of examinations booked during the first wave, compared to private healthcare facilities (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION This survey showed that public facilities appeared to be better prepared from an organizational point of view than private facilities. Rescheduling the examinations booked during the first COVID-19 wave was challenging and not always possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Nicolò
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Altin Adraman
- Unit of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Padova, Italy
| | - Camilla Risoli
- Department of Radiological Functions, Radiology Unit, "Guglielmo da Saliceto" Hospital, Piacenza
| | - Angie Devetti
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tombolesi
- Department of Radiology P.O. CTO, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino CTO - Torino, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Migliorini
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Di Feo
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital Meyer of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Angelo Di Naro
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Piazza OMS, 1, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo 24127, Italy
| | - Elisa Vetti
- Department of Health Professions, Maggiore Hospital, Via Gramsci 14, University of Parma, Parma 43125, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Martini
- Department of Health Professions, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy; Department of Medice and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Nebelung H, Radosa CG, Schön F, Blum SFU, Böhme C, Hoffmann RT, Plodeck V. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on therapeutic interventional oncology procedures and diagnostic CT/MRI examinations at a German university hospital. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2023; 195:707-712. [PMID: 37224865 DOI: 10.1055/a-2081-4012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of severe restrictions on public life in Germany and a reduction in the number of non-COVID patients presenting for care. The aim of this study was to measure the impact on the number of therapeutic interventional oncology procedures in relation to diagnostic imaging studies at a high-volume radiology department. MATERIALS AND METHODS The numbers of therapeutic interventional oncology procedures and diagnostic CT/MRI examinations for the years 2010 to 2021 were extracted using the hospital information system. Monthly data from January 2010 to December 2019 were used to build forecasting models for the timeframe from January 2020 to December 2021. Real procedure numbers were compared with predicted numbers to calculate residual differences, which were considered statistically significant if the real number was outside the 95 % confidence interval (p < 0.05). RESULTS During the first German lockdown (March/April 2020), the number of outpatient CT/MRI examinations decreased significantly, with a less pronounced decrease of overall CT/MRI numbers. The second German lockdown (January-May 2021) led to lower than predicted outpatient CT numbers, whereas outpatient MRI numbers in part even exceeded predicted numbers and overall CT/MRI numbers stayed within confidence limits. The lockdowns had a more pronounced negative effect on the number of oncological MRI examinations compared to CT examinations. The number of therapeutic interventional oncology procedures showed no significant decrease during both lockdowns. CONCLUSION Lockdown measures had minor impact on the number of therapeutic interventional oncology procedures, possibly due to a shift from more resource-intensive therapies like surgery towards interventional oncology. The overall numbers of diagnostic imaging decreased during the first lockdown, while the second lockdown had less negative impact. The number of oncological MRI examinations was affected most severely. To avoid adverse outcomes, specific protocols for patient management during future pandemic outbreaks should be implemented and continuously adapted. KEY POINTS · COVID-19 lockdowns had minor effect on therapeutic interventional oncology procedures.. · Numbers of diagnostic outpatient imaging procedures dropped markedly, especially during the first lockdown.. · The number of oncological MRI examinations showed a significant decrease during both lockdowns.. CITATION FORMAT · Nebelung H, Radosa CG, Schön F et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on therapeutic interventional oncology procedures and diagnostic CT/MRI examinations at a German university hospital. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2023; 195: 707 - 712.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Nebelung
- Institute and Polyclinic for Diagnostic und Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph Georg Radosa
- Institute and Polyclinic for Diagnostic und Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Felix Schön
- Institute and Polyclinic for Diagnostic und Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sophia Freya Ulrike Blum
- Institute and Polyclinic for Diagnostic und Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Böhme
- Institute and Polyclinic for Diagnostic und Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf-Thorsten Hoffmann
- Institute and Polyclinic for Diagnostic und Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Verena Plodeck
- Institute and Polyclinic for Diagnostic und Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Cordato DJ, Fatima Shad K, Soubra W, Beran RG. Health Research and Education during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Australian Clinician and Researcher Perspective. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020289. [PMID: 36673098 PMCID: PMC9858508 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented global effect on teaching and education. This review discusses research, education and diagnostics from the perspectives of four academic clinicians and researchers across different facilities in Australia. Materials and methods: The study adopted a literature review and an Australian researcher's perspective on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health education, research and diagnostics. Results: At the start of the pandemic, medical facilities had to adhere urgently to major work restrictions, including social distancing, mask-wearing rules and/or the closure of facilities to protect staff, students and patients from the risk of COVID-19 infection. Telemedicine and telehealth services were rapidly implemented and adapted to meet the needs of medical education, the teaching of students, trainee doctors, nursing and allied health staff and became a widely accepted norm. The impact on clinical research and education saw the closure of clinical trials and the implementation of new methods in the conducting of trials, including electronic consents, remote patient assessments and the ability to commence fully virtual clinical trials. Academic teaching adapted augmented reality and competency-based teaching to become important new modes of education delivery. Diagnostic services also required new policies and procedures to ensure the safety of personnel. Conclusions: As a by-product of the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional, face-to-face learning and clinical research were converted into online formats. An hybrid environment of traditional methods and novel technological tools has emerged in readiness for future pandemics that allows for virtual learning with concurrent recognition of the need to provide for interpersonal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis J. Cordato
- Department of Neurophysiology, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, Sydney, NSW 1871, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Campbell St Liverpool, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of NSW, Liverpool, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Kaneez Fatima Shad
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Campbell St Liverpool, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, 40 Edward St, Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, ISRA, University of Hyderabad Pakistan, Hyderabad 71000, Pakistan
| | - Wissam Soubra
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Campbell St Liverpool, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- A Healthy Step Podiatry, Lakemba, Sydney, NSW 2195, Australia
| | - Roy G. Beran
- Department of Neurophysiology, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, Sydney, NSW 1871, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Campbell St Liverpool, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of NSW, Liverpool, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- Faculty of Sociology, Sechenov Moscow First State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +61-0287383648
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Lugo-Fagundo E, Weisberg EM, Lugo-Fagundo M, Fishman EK. Solving Problems Due to Hurricane Maria and COVID-19: CT Trends in Puerto Rico Before, During, and Beyond Public Health Crises. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol 2022; 52:245-252. [PMID: 36463003 PMCID: PMC9673056 DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Our objective was to evaluate the impact of recent public health crises on radiology CT services in Puerto Rico. We gathered and analyzed CT statistics from 2 of Puerto Rico's major private hospital groups and obtained monthly data from January 2016 to March 2021. We quantified short- and long-term impacts of Hurricane Maria (September 2016-August 2017, September 2017-August 2018, September 2018-August 2019) and COVID-19 (April 2019-March 2020, April 2020-March 2021) by calculating month-to-month and year-to-year percentage differences for each hospital and all hospitals combined for the dates leading up to, in the immediate aftermath, and following these major events. Despite short-term effects throughout September from Hurricane Maria, there were no noticeable year-to-year differences in the total number of CT studies performed. Both March and April 2020 highlighted the instantaneous impact caused by COVID-19; these months contributed less than 6% of the total yearly scans performed between April 2019 and March 2020 and April 2020-March 2021 for all the hospitals individually. Hurricane Maria exerted a short-term impact on CT studies performed throughout September 2017. COVID-19 also demonstrated immediate yet prolonged effects on the number of CT studies performed with all 3 hospitals reporting decreases between a full pandemic year and the year prior. Our results support fortifying medical and societal infrastructure to better prepare for future natural and public health disasters, particularly in Puerto Rico and similarly resourced areas, to maintain steady, if somewhat diminished, radiology services such as CT for regular and emergency purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Lugo-Fagundo
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Edmund M. Weisberg
- Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD,Reprint requests: Edmund Weisberg, MS, MBE, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | | | - Elliot K. Fishman
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
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Pinson JA, Diep ML, Krishnan V, Aird C, Cooper C, Leong C, Chen J, Ardley N, Paul E, Badawy MK. Imaging volumes during COVID-19: A Victorian health service experience. World J Radiol 2022; 14:293-310. [PMID: 36160832 PMCID: PMC9453320 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v14.i8.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic on March 11, 2020. While globally, the relative caseload has been high, Australia’s has been relatively low. During the pandemic, radiology services have seen significant changes in workflow across modalities and a reduction in imaging volumes.
AIM To investigate differences in modality imaging volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic across a large Victorian public health network.
METHODS A retrospective analysis from January 2019 to December 2020 compared imaging volumes across two periods corresponding to the pandemic’s first and second waves. Weekly volumes across patient class, modality and mobile imaging were summed for periods: wave 1 (weeks 11 to 16 for 2019; weeks 63 to 68 for 2020) and wave 2 (weeks 28 to 43 for 2019; weeks 80 to 95 for 2020). Microsoft Power Business Intelligence linked to the radiology information system was used to mine all completed examinations.
RESULTS Summed weekly data during the pandemic’s first wave showed the greatest decrease of 29.8% in adult outpatient imaging volumes and 46.3% in paediatric emergency department imaging volumes. Adult nuclear medicine demonstrated the greatest decrease of 37.1% for the same period. Paediatric nuclear medicine showed the greatest decrease of 47.8%, with angiography increasing by 50%. The pandemic’s second wave demonstrated the greatest decrease of 23.5% in adult outpatient imaging volumes, with an increase of 18.2% in inpatient imaging volumes. The greatest decrease was 28.5% in paediatric emergency department imaging volumes. Nuclear medicine showed the greatest decrease of 37.1% for the same period. Paediatric nuclear medicine showed the greatest decrease of 36.7%. Mobile imaging utilisation increased between 57.8% and 135.1% during the first and second waves. A strong correlation was observed between mobile and non-mobile imaging in the emergency setting (Spearman’s correlation coefficient = -0.743, P = 0.000). No correlation was observed in the inpatient setting (Spearman’s correlation coefficient = -0.059, P = 0.554).
CONCLUSION Nuclear medicine was most impacted, while computed tomography and angiography were the least affected by the pandemic. The impact was less during the pandemic’s second wave. Mobile imaging shows continuous growth during both waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo-Anne Pinson
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
- Department of Medical Imaging, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria 3099, Australia
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, School of Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - My Linh Diep
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Vinay Krishnan
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Caroline Aird
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Cassie Cooper
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Christopher Leong
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Jeff Chen
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Nicholas Ardley
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Eldho Paul
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Mohamed Khaldoun Badawy
- Monash Health Imaging, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, School of Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Maurea S, Bombace C, Mainolfi CG, Annunziata A, Attanasio L, Stanzione A, Matano E, Mucci B, D'Ambrosio A, Giordano C, Petretta M, Del Vecchio S, Cuocolo A. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on 2-[ 18F]FDG PET/CT imaging work-flow in a single medical institution: comparison among the three Italian waves. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08819. [PMID: 35097234 PMCID: PMC8783536 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT imaging work-flow during the three waves in a medical institution of southern of Italy. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the numbers and results of 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT studies acquired during the following three periods of the COVID-19 waves: 1) February 3-April 30, 2020; 2) October 15, 2020-January 15, 2021; and 3) January 18-April 16, 2021. RESULTS A total of 861 PET/CT studies in 725 patients (388 men, mean age 64 ± 4 years) was acquired during the three waves of COVID-19 pandemic. The majority (94%) was performed for diagnosis/staging (n = 300) or follow-up (n = 512) of neoplastic diseases. The remaining 49 studies (6%) were acquired for non-oncological patients. The distribution of number and type of clinical indications for PET/CT studies in the three waves were comparable (p = 0.06). Conversely, the occurrence of patients positive for COVID-19 infection progressively increased (p < 0.0001) from the first to third wave; in particular, patients with COVID-19 had active infection before PET/CT study as confirmed by molecular oro/nasopharyngeal swab. CONCLUSION Despite the restrictive medical measures for the emergency, the number of 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT studies was unchanged during the three waves guaranteeing the diagnostic performance of PET/CT imaging for oncological patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Maurea
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Bombace
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Gabriele Mainolfi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Annunziata
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Ludovica Attanasio
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Arnaldo Stanzione
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Elide Matano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Brigitta Mucci
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro D'Ambrosio
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Giordano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Petretta
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, IRCCS SDN, 80142, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvana Del Vecchio
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Cuocolo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Majumder MAA, Gaur U, Singh K, Kandamaran L, Gupta S, Haque M, Rahman S, Sa B, Rahman M, Rampersad F. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on radiology education, training, and practice: A narrative review. World J Radiol 2021; 13:354-370. [PMID: 34904050 PMCID: PMC8637607 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v13.i11.354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiology education and training is of paramount clinical importance given the prominence of medical imaging utilization in effective clinical practice. The incorporation of basic radiology in the medical curriculum has continued to evolve, focusing on teaching image interpretation skills, the appropriate ordering of radiological investigations, judicious use of ionizing radiation, and providing exposure to interventional radiology. Advancements in radiology have been driven by the digital revolution, which has, in turn, had a positive impact on radiology education and training. Upon the advent of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many training institutions and hospitals adhered to directives which advised rescheduling of non-urgent outpatient appointments. This inevitably impacted the workflow of the radiology department, which resulted in the reduction of clinical in-person case reviews and consultations, as well as in-person teaching sessions. Several medical schools and research centers completely suspended face-to-face academic activity. This led to challenges for medical teachers to complete the radiology syllabus while ensuring that teaching activities continued safely and effectively. As a result, online teaching platforms have virtually replaced didactic face-to-face lectures. Radiology educators also sought other strategies to incorporate interactive teaching sessions while adopting the e-learning approach, as they were cognizant of the limitations that this may have on students' clinical expertise. Migration to online methods to review live cases, journal clubs, simulation-based training, clinical interaction, and radiology examination protocolling are a few examples of successfully addressing the limitations in reduced clinical exposure. In this review paper, we discuss (1) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology education, training, and practice; (2) Challenges and strategies involved in delivering online radiology education for undergraduates and postgraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) Difference between the implementation of radiology education during the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Anwarul Azim Majumder
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Cave Hill BB23034, Barbados
| | - Uma Gaur
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Cave Hill BB23034, Barbados
| | - Keerti Singh
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Cave Hill BB23034, Barbados
| | - Latha Kandamaran
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Cave Hill BB23034, Barbados
| | - Subir Gupta
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Cave Hill BB23034, Barbados
| | - Mainul Haque
- Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kem Perdana Sugai Besi, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Sayeeda Rahman
- School of Medicine, American University of Integrative Sciences (AUIS), Bridgetown BB11318, Barbados
| | - Bidyadhar Sa
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St Augustine 33178, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Mizanur Rahman
- Principal's Office, International Medical College, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Fidel Rampersad
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St Augustine 33178, Trinidad and Tobago
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Gipson J, Lee R, Clements W. Impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on registrar reporting volumes in a Melbourne teaching hospital. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2021; 66:115-116. [PMID: 34796653 PMCID: PMC8652562 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Gipson
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin Lee
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Warren Clements
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,National Trauma Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Hofmann B, Andersen ER, Kjelle E. What can we learn from the SARS-COV-2 pandemic about the value of specific radiological examinations? BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:1158. [PMID: 34702243 PMCID: PMC8546787 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07190-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-COV-2 pandemic provides a natural intervention to assess practical priority setting and internal evaluation of specific health services, such as radiological services. Norway makes an excellent case as it had a very low infection rate and very few cases of COVID-19. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to use the changes in performed outpatient radiological examinations during the first stages of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic to assess the practical evaluation of specific radiological examinations in Norway. METHODS Data was collected retrospectively from the Norwegian Health Economics Administration (HELFO) in the years 2015-2020. Data included the number of performed outpatient imaging examinations at public hospitals and private imaging centers in Norway and was divided in to three periods based on the level of restrictions on elective health services. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS In the first period there was a 45% reduction in outpatient radiology compared to the same time period in 2015-2019 while in period 2 and 3 there was a 25 and 6% reduction respectively. The study identified a list of specific potential low-value radiological examinations. While some of these are covered by the Choosing Wisely campaign, others are not. CONCLUSION By studying the priority setting practice during the initial phases of the pandemic this study identifies a set of potential low value radiological examinations during the initial phases of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. These examinations are candidates for closer assessments for health services quality improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjørn Hofmann
- Institute for the Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, PO Box 191, N-2802, Gjøvik, Norway.
- Centre of Medical Ethics at the University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Eivind Richter Andersen
- Institute for the Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, PO Box 191, N-2802, Gjøvik, Norway
| | - Elin Kjelle
- Institute for the Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, PO Box 191, N-2802, Gjøvik, Norway
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