Glob J Emerg Med | Volume 1, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access

Teleradiology Services in Disaster Events – What does exist and What is required?

Glyn Llewellyn-Jones*, Suresh De Silva and Katja Beitat

Radiology Across Borders

*Correspondance to: Glyn Llewellyn-Jones 

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Abstract

Introduction: This study assessed the current status and need for teleradiology services in the Pacific nations following natural disasters.
Methods: Two standardised interview questionnaires were used to a) obtain current radiology capabilities and needs for teleradiology, and b) to explore how teleradiology would fit into existing regional disaster planning framework. Both questionnaires were administered between August to October 2015 to respondents in Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea. The head radiologists within the major public tertiary hospital and the risk management officers within the ministry of health in these countries were interviewed over the phone or via video-conferencing. Interviews were also held with the regional coordinators of the World Health Organisation and a representative of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, the governmental agency responsible for the deployment of the Australian medical assistance teams.
Results: The interviews revealed that, teleradiology services are currently not being utilised during disaster and non-disaster times, despite respondents expressing the need for such services. There was a consensus about the perceived barriers to implementing teleradiology services, including the lack of adequate skills and training, the lack of adequate infrastructure and the ability to effectively transmit imaging data.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the needs assessment, the authors argue that there is a need for the development of teleradiology services during both disaster and non-disaster periods in the Pacific nations. The authors outline three key elements required to facilitate the provision of teleradiology services during disaster events and overcome the perceived barriers. Further research is required regarding how to practically establish these required skills and technical capabilities to support a regionally based approach to teleradiology services in the Pacific region during disaster events.

Citation:

Llewellyn-Jones G, De Silva S, Beitat K. Teleradiology Services in Disaster Events – What does exist and What is required? Glob J Emerg Med. 2018; 1(2): 1007.

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