The use of Instagram as an educational tool in an undergraduate Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology course in Trinidad and Tobago

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the use of Instagram both prior to and during an undergraduate oral radiology course at The University of the West Indies and to ascertain the perceived impact of Instagram as an educational tool on the course's teaching and learning. Method: A private Instagram account was created in 2017 for use in the fourth-year oral radiology course. Subjects included 30 dental students registered for the year long course. One dental radiograph was posted per week with associated questions. A piloted and previously tested questionnaire modified to our study was administered and statistically analyzed. Results: 24 (80%) students completed the research questionnaire. 8 (33%) students indicated that they did not have an Instagram account prior to the study. 14 (61%) students agreed and 9 (39%) students strongly agreed that the radiographic posts and discussions generated throughout the course of the study were helpful. Conclusion: The findings revealed in this study were that the use of Instagram in the oral radiology course was helpful to the students and most reported that they would enjoy the use of this platform in other courses.

Accrediation of diagnostic imaging and services in developing countries

In recent decades, medical imaging has experienced a technological revolution. After conducting several surveys to assess the quality and safety of diagnostic imaging services in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) developed a basic accreditation program that can be implemented by the ministry of health of any developing country. Patterned after the American College of Radiology's accreditation program, the PAHO program relies on a national accreditation committee to establish and maintain accreditation standards. The process involves a peer review evaluation of: (1) imaging and processing equipment, (2) physician and technologist staff qualifications, (3)quality control and quality assurance programs, and (4) image quality and, where applicable, radiation dose. Public and private conventional radiography/fluoroscopy, mammography, and ultrasound services may request accreditation. The radiography/fluoroscopy accreditation program has three modules from which to choose: chest radiography, general radiography, and fluoroscopy. The national accreditation committee verifies compliance with the standards. On behalf of the ministry of health, the accreditation committee also issues a three-year accreditation certificate. As needed, the accreditation committee consults with foreign technical and clinical experts (AU)

Factors influencing the compliance of women age 50-69 years with breast cancer screening: a church based study

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Jamaican women, the highest occurence of breast cancer falls within the age group 55-64 years. This study sought to determine the compliance of women age 50-69 years with methods of early detection of breast cancer and the factors that affect non-compliance. A cross-sectional study was done among women age 50-69 years in Kingston and St. Andrew. Five Christian denominations were randomly selected and then one church was randomly selected from each denonination. Self-administered questionnaires were used as data collecting instruments. Knowledgable about breast cancer risk factors and screening methods was higher among persons with a higher level of education among those who received medical care at private facilities. Compliance with breast self examination and clinical breast examination were high (88 percent and 75 percent respectively)while compliance with mammography was low (39 percent). Significant factors, which influence breast cancer screening compliance, were educational background, income level, obtaining medical care from a private facility and having health insurance. There was inadequate adherence with breast cancer screening guidelines in this study. Compliance with screening mammography was low. The major barriers that existed to achieving a higher level of compliance among the women studied were lack of physician recommendation and the cost of screening mammograms (AU)

Clinical manifestations of childhood lead poisoning - abstract

Clinical characteristics of 58 patients admitted to the Bustamante Hospital for Children with lead poisoning are described. The most common source of lead exposure was backyard battery smelters. The majority (58 percent) of the patients were less than three years of age. Lead toxicity was more severe in younger children; they had higher lead levels and a greater incidence of encephalopathy. Patients with lower haemoglobin values had relatively higher lead levels (r= -0.54;p<0.001), and a higher incidence of encephalopathy (p<0.011). Radiology evidence of lead poisoning was present in 96 percent of our patients. This demonstrates the usefulness of X-rays in diagnosis, particularly in areas where blood lead levels are not easily availabel (AU)