Training Nonradiologist Clinicians in Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound in Rural Rwanda: Impact on Knowledge and Skills

Task shifting for point of care ultrasound in primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries-a systematic review

“… 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 Thirty-five studies were prospective observational studies and one randomized controlled trial. 30 The majority of the included publications ( n = 20) were conducted on the African continent, 21 , 22 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 nine studies originated from the Americas, 24 , 27 , 29 , 38 , 41 , 45 , 54 , 55 , 56 two from Asia, 26 , 36 and three from Oceania 23 , 28 , 57 as shown in Figure 2…”

“… 24 , 25 , 26 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 35 , 43 , 46 , 47 Nine and three publications reported on task shifting for chest POCUS for cardiac and pulmonary conditions respectively, including rheumatic heart disease screening, diagnosing cardiac structural anomalies, aneurysms and deep vein thrombosis, 23 , 28 , 30 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 45 , 55 , 57 , 58 and lung examinations to diagnose conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleural effusion and atelectasia. 29 , 53 , 59 Further reported task shifting for POCUS applications included abdominopelvic examination for liver, gallbladder diseases, and kidney diseases, prostate hypertrophy and urinary tract infection, 21 , 32 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 54 breast and axillary examination for breast cancer screening, 40 , 56 examination in trauma patients for pneumothorax and internal haemorrhage, 48 examination for HIV associated tuberculosis, 33 and screening for abdominal cystic echinococcosis. 22 , 27 …”

“… 29 , 53 , 59 Further reported task shifting for POCUS applications included abdominopelvic examination for liver, gallbladder diseases, and kidney diseases, prostate hypertrophy and urinary tract infection, 21 , 32 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 54 breast and axillary examination for breast cancer screening, 40 , 56 examination in trauma patients for pneumothorax and internal haemorrhage, 48 examination for HIV associated tuberculosis, 33 and screening for abdominal cystic echinococcosis. 22 , 27 …”

“…Similarly, in Rwanda and Peru nurses, midwives, and general practitioners used POCUS to supplement clinical examination for breast cancer and associated axillary lesions 40 , 56 and assess for signs of severe dehydration in children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting by examining the aorta and inferior vena cava ratio, 37 and in Senegal for surveillance of Schistosoma haematobium morbidity 51 ( Table 5 ).…”

Go beyond image-based benign-malignant classification: AI can identify responsible frames better than physicians in breast ultrasound screening videos

“…The access to fast, reliable ultrasound test in underdeveloped areas is in stark contrast with its counterpart, primarily resulting from the better education, training and opportunities for physicians in developed regions that underdeveloped areas are simply not able to match. 15,16 The seeking of means to reduce the burden of sonographers and empower junior physicians has been long. Automated Breast Ultrasound(ABUS) is a technology that automates image acquisition, hoping to boost repeatability and decrease operator reliance.…”