Background and Aims: The Point of Care Ultrasound and Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Resource-Limited Settings are differentiated diagnostic methods using ultrasound, essential in urgent patients screening, allowing better guidance in the diagnostic process and therapeutic approach. This study intends to observe the impact of these techniques in two Basic Emergency Services (SUB) in Portugal.Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out in two remote locations in Portugal (SUB N and SUB S). Data were collected by trained radiographers in each location, and a total of 972 exams were considered. Imaging findings were documented by exam type, the exam normality and the resolution after exam. χ 2 and Cramer's V tests were performed to check significant correlations between the variables.Results: Regarding the type of echographic findings, 289 (29.7%) were considered normal, 628 (64.6%) were classified as abnormal and 55 (5.7%) were considered inconclusive. As for the type of resolution, 58% had local resolution, 24% were referred to a hospital emergency service and 18% referred to ambulatory care.Regarding the Location versus Resolution after exam versus Findings variables, it was verified a stronger statistically significant association for the exams considered "Abnormal" (Cramer´s V = 0.414; p < 0.001). In the variables Location versus Findings versus Resolution after exam, it was verified a stronger statistical significance for "Referral to Ambulatory" (Cramer V = 0.443; p < 0.001) although Referral for Hospital (Cramer V = 0.252; p = 0.003) or Local Resolution (Cramer V = 0.252; p < 0.001) also had a moderate association strength. Conclusion:Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic tool for patients screening, having an influence on patient management in remote settings. Given the limited literature in Portugal about this matter, further research and literature will be needed to support and complement the results of this study.

Background and Aims The use of ultrasound screening is primarily facilitated by point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) and its integration into healthcare systems is a result of the versatility of this imaging technique. This study intends to compare the accuracy and pertinence of sonographic findings obtained by a sonographer in a Basic Emergency Service (BES) with that of radiologists at referral hospital (RH) in Portugal. Methods Twenty patients with right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain and suspected cholecystitis or biliary pathology underwent sonography screening using POCUS in the BES. They were then forwarded to the RH where a radiologist performed a conventional ultrasound exam on the same patients. The results of both exams were compared to determine if the findings obtained in the BES were confirmed by the radiologist in the RH. Results In our sample, 60% of cases were related to biliary pathology, 20% were liver‐related, 10% had hepatopancreatic biliary etiology, and 10% had unknown etiology. A strong association between the sonographic findings in the BES and the RH was found in the variables “Sonographic Murphy sign” ( V = 0.859; p = 0.001), “Cholelithiasis/Gallbladder sludge” ( V = 0.840; p = 0.001), and “Intrahepatic biliary tract dilatation” ( V = 0.717; p = 0.006). Adequate measures of agreement between the findings of the radiographer and radiologist were obtained for the “Sonographic Murphy sign” ( k = 0.664; p = 0.001) and the presence of “Cholelithiasis/Gallbladder sludge” ( k = 0.712; p = 0.000). Conclusion Major biliary abnormalities were detected in patients with RUQ pain in BES using sonography. The correlation between the sonographic findings obtained by the sonographers at BES and those obtained by radiologists at the RH in Portugal was strong, showing that POCUS screening could be extended to other similar settings; however, more studies are needed.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been progressively merging into the daily practice of many healthcare professionals. Radiology is a branch of medicine that can benefit from these new technological advancements, as it is a data-rich medical specialty and is well-placed to embrace AI. Specifically, radiologists are in a distinctive position to support the AI revolution because of their direct access to a significant amount of data. In turn, these AI tools can improve pathology detection by radiologists, thereby resulting in better, more accurate, and sooner diagnostics. The chapter aims to provide some new insights into AI concepts, tools, and their application in medical imaging. Several technologies are becoming more available in all imaging modalities, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid transition to a new era of digital health. In conclusion, the next generation of AI-based diagnostic imaging systems will surely have a serious impact on daily educational and healthcare institutions for the next generation.

Apesar do papel predominante que os Técnicos de Radiologia desempenham no Serviço Nacional de Saúde, que tarda em ser devidamente reconhecido, e das diversas lutas que têm enfrentado na tentativa de obtenção de uma carreira mais digna e justa, seria inimaginável que viessem a travar uma luta totalmente diferente, contra um vírus desconhecido (COVID-19). Devido à sua extrema velocidade de propagação e incidência pandémica, houve a necessidade de adaptarem as práticas e serviços, de forma a minimizar o risco de infeção. Assim, o presente documento pretende identificar as evidências disponíveis na literatura relacionadas com o âmbito de atuação dos Técnicos de Radiologia e as estratégias adotadas de forma a minimizarem o risco de infeção. Através de uma revisão da literatura realizada nas bases de dados Scopus, ScienceDirect, Pubmed e Scielo, com recurso a diversos descritores de pesquisa, obteve-se um resultado final de 25 documentos, os quais foram analisados através de uma versão adaptada da Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. As evidências identificam diversos enfoques organizacionais nos departamentos de radiologia e nas práticas adotadas pelos Técnicos de Radiologia, com o objetivo de darem uma resposta adequada e segura no atual contexto pandémico. A consciencialização e o domínio dos procedimentos de proteção pelos Técnicos de Radiologia são referidos como prioritários, os quais devem ser obtidos através de treino e formação adequada. Os Técnicos de Radiologia estão, inevitavelmente, na linha da frente na luta contra a COVID-19 e têm desempenhando um papel insubstituível na prestação de cuidados de saúde.