Reporting of Trauma-related Radiographic Images in After-hours Trauma Units: Experiences of Radiographers and Medical Practitioners in the Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa

Venter, Riaan van de; Rand, Suzette du; Grobler, T.

doi:10.1016/j.jmir.2016.11.004

Cited by 8 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…radiographic images [5], and the interpretation of radiographic images is left to the emergency physicians [3]. Yet, in accordance with this study, a total of 92.3% (n ¼ 36) of the physicians agreed with the notion that chances do exist for pathologies to be misdiagnosed during image interpretation.…”

Section: The Number Of Radiographic Examinations Performed Versus Thesupporting

confidence: 71%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Determining the Need for After-Hours Diagnostic Radiological Reporting in Emergency Departments at Public Hospitals in South Africa: Perceptions of Emergency Physicians in KwaZulu-Natal

Chetty

Venter

Speelman

2020

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Emergency departments in South African public hospitals have a high patient load after hours, with inadequate numbers of health care professionals available to satisfy patient influx. In addition, there is often no provision of after-hours diagnostic reporting services in public hospitals, to an extent that the emergency physician is responsible for interpreting all radiographic images requested themseves. Emergency physicians, in this study, can be described as any medical doctor registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and working in the emergency department as a registrar or consultant physician because there were no physicians specialized in emergency medicine working at the hospitals selected for this study. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the views of emergency physicians on whether there is a need for an after-hours diagnostic radiological reporting service in selected public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative research design was utilized, through means of a survey, to assess the emergency physicians' perceptions regarding the need for after-hours diagnostic radiological reporting. In addition, the study used a descriptive quantitative research design to record the number of conventional diagnostic radiographic examinations performed at the selected hospitals, after hours, and the proportional number of these radiographic examinations that were reported on by radiologists during office hours, the following day. The distribution of questionnaires and data collection, with regard to the number of examinations reported on, and those not reported on, were carried out simultaneously during the execution of this study. The study was conducted over a three-month period in 2017, at four public hospitals in KwaZulu-Nataldone of the nine provinces of South Africa. Results: This study found that, during the study period, between 0.1% and 0.6% of the conventional diagnostic radiographic examinations performed, after hours, were reported on by radiologists during office hours, the following day. The surveyed emergency physicians felt that the interpretation of diagnostic images took up valuable time that could be spent on patient management, and there was near-total agreement, whereby 92% (n ¼ 36) of the physicians would have preferred after-hours reporting to be performed by a radiologist. Physicians agreed that having a radiologist or reporting radiographer to provide radiological reports would allow for more effective and efficient patient management. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that there is a need for after-hours radiographic reporting at the selected public hospitals and for the further training of emergency physicians in radiographic image interpretation. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that after-hours radiological reporting services be considered for public hospitals and that courses be offered to emergency physicians on the interpretation of diagnostic Co...

show abstract

Section: The Number Of Radiographic Examinations Performed Versus Thesupporting

confidence: 71%

“…Patients in emergency departments are mostly seen by interns and junior physicians, and there is often no consultant or senior physician available to assist or guide the junior physicians, after hours. Radiographers are therefore often approached for assistance in the interpretation of the radiographic images [3,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the Need for After-Hours Diagnostic Radiological Reporting in Emergency Departments at Public Hospitals in South Africa: Perceptions of Emergency Physicians in KwaZulu-Natal

Chetty

Venter

Speelman

2020

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, because of a shortage of radiologists worldwide, especially in the public sector, the role of this highly operator-dependent modality has expanded significantly to include the interpretation of the examination (Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine 2014 :3; New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board 2020 :1–2) and preparation of a preliminary worksheet or report by the sonographer (Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine 2014 :3; Dongola et al 2003 :29, 33; Hofmann & Vikestad 2013 :186; Klibanov & Hossack 2015 :657; Schneider, Bloesch & Lombardo 2014 :6; United Kingdom Association of Sonographers 2008 :5; Yielder et al 2014 :14 & 21). In the context of SA, because of the shortage of radiologists reporting on ultrasound examinations, sonographers in the public sector compile a technical report of their findings for the referring physician, while in some private practices, sonographers write a preliminary report which is then signed off by the radiologist (Hazell, Motto & Chipeya 2015 :303; Van de Venter & Ten Ham-Baloyi 2019 :178; Van de Venter, Du Rand & Grobler 2016 :128, 129). This requires sonographers to have extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology in order to accurately assess their patients and compile a formal report (D’Abate & La Leggia 2017 :1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Around the world, sonographers have been reporting on selected ultrasound examinations with high levels of accuracy for over 30 years (Dongola et al 2003 :31; Hofmann & Vikestad 2013 :188; Schneider et al 2014 :6; Van de Venter et al 2016 :128, 135–136). Proficient diagnostic ultrasound image interpretation and reporting skills can be achieved with formal report-writing training for sonographers (Dongola et al 2003 :31; Hofmann & Vikestad 2013 :188; Schneider et al 2014 :6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The experiences of sonographers with regard to report writing and communicating their findings

Ferreira

Dyk

Mokoena

2022

Health SA Gesondheid

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition to this, medical doctors in Africa are in support of the establishment of reporting 2,4,10,11 radiographers to assist radiologists.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Image Interpretation and Reporting by Radiographers in Africa: Findings from the Literature Review and their Application to Zambia

Bwanga

Sichone

et al. 2021

MJZ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The need for having reporting radiographers has been a part of the discussion in the last decade in Zambia. This is due to acritical shortage of radiologists, an increase in demand for imaging services, and the radiographers' desire for professional recognition in providing formal reportson radiographic images similar to those they undertake in ultrasonography. Objective: The study aimed at reviewing the evidence relating to image interpretation and reporting by radiographers in Africa and apply thefindings to Zambia. Methodology: A literature review was used to bring together studies on image interpretation and reporting by radiographers in Africa. Online databases, radiography journals, cited references, grey literature, and the internet were searched for relevant studies. Results: Thirteen studies were included in this review. The findings revealed that radiographers in Africa have a positive attitude towards image interpretation and reporting. In addition, their accuracy at image interpretation is comparable to radiologists. The main benefit identified by the establishment of reporting radiographers is improved access to imaging reports. The review also found that medical doctors are in support of the establishment of reporting radiographers. However, the main limitations are a lack of postgraduate courses in this speciality and the limitation of their scope of practice. Conclusion: Reporting radiographers contribute significantly to the delivery of quality imaging services by assisting radiologists in reporting on radiographic images. There is a need for policymakers in Africa, including Zambia, to extend the scope of practice of radiographers and establish postgraduate image interpretation courses.

show abstract

Reporting of Trauma-related Radiographic Images in After-hours Trauma Units: Experiences of Radiographers and Medical Practitioners in the Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa

Cited by 8 publications

References 15 publications

Determining the Need for After-Hours Diagnostic Radiological Reporting in Emergency Departments at Public Hospitals in South Africa: Perceptions of Emergency Physicians in KwaZulu-Natal

Determining the Need for After-Hours Diagnostic Radiological Reporting in Emergency Departments at Public Hospitals in South Africa: Perceptions of Emergency Physicians in KwaZulu-Natal

The experiences of sonographers with regard to report writing and communicating their findings

Image Interpretation and Reporting by Radiographers in Africa: Findings from the Literature Review and their Application to Zambia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About