MRI scarcity in low- and middle-income countries.

Since the introduction of MRI as a sustainable diagnostic modality, global accessibility to its services has revealed a wide discrepancy between populations-leaving most of the population in LMICs without access to this important imaging modality. Several factors lead to the scarcity of MRI in LMICs; for example, inadequate infrastructure and the absence of a dedicated workforce are key factors in the scarcity observed. RAD-AID has contributed to the advancement of radiology globally by collaborating with our partners to make radiology more accessible for medically underserved communities. However, progress is slow and further investment is needed to ensure improved global access to MRI.

Radiology Content on TikTok: Current Use of a Novel Video-Based Social Media Platform and Opportunities for Radiology.

PURPOSE: TikTok, the fastest growing social media application worldwide, has been infrequently studied in medicine. We analyzed the top radiology-related posts on TikTok in order to describe opportunities for radiology engagement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrieved the top 300 posts meeting the search criteria "radiology." User- and post-related data were categorized based on a prespecified coding system. Descriptive statistics were reported. Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to assess for differences in followers, plays, likes, and comments among posts and users. RESULTS: 284 working posts were broadcast by 187 unique users with median 119 followers (interquartile range [IQR]: 31-1,206) and 20 posts (IQR: 7-49). Most (81%, 151/187) were nonphysician radiology personnel, while only 5% (9/187) were radiologists. Posts by radiologists had more plays than those by nonphysician radiology personnel (median 3643 vs 1282, P = 0.001). The 284 posts had median 1520 plays (IQR 429-4374), 60 likes (IQR 18-272), and 2 comments (IQR 0-9). Most posts were work-related (184/284, 65%), followed by clinical (68/284, 24%), personal (30/284, 11%), or promotional (2/284, 1%). However, posts by radiologists were mostly clinical (65%, 31/48) and represented a large majority of posted imaging cases (29/33, 88%). Posts about COVID-19 represented 38% (107/284) of the study sample and 48% (93/193) of posts after the first U.S. COVID-19 case COVID-19 posts had significantly more comments (3 vs. 2, P = 0.034) and more likes approaching significance (89 vs 51, P = 0.134) than non-COVID-19 posts. CONCLUSIONS: Though radiologists represent a minority of TikTok users their post represent the majority of this platform's clinical content. This presents an important opportunity for radiologists to utilize TikTok for contemporary, unique content creation and engagement with nonphysician radiology personnel.

Radiation dose reduction, improved isocenter accuracy and CT scan time savings with automatic patient positioning by a 3D camera.

PURPOSE: To compare CT isocenter accuracy, patient dose, and scan time in adults imaged with and without use of a 3D camera. METHOD: 571 CT examinations utilizing a 3D camera for initial patient positioning (optional radiographer isocenter adjustment) and 504 examinations scanned without the camera between 10/1/2018 and 3/19/2019 were retrospectively identified. All exams were chest or abdominopelvic CTs. The isocenters of these exams were compared with the true isocenters defined as the manually delineated centroid of the body in the CT volume. The size specific dose estimate (SSDE) (mGy) of radiation dose obtained from departmental software for the 4 most common protocols on one CT scanner was compared before and after implementation of the 3D camera. The times required for the entire scan and just the topogram "scout" were compared with and without the 3D camera for noncontrast chest and abdominopelvic CT enterography protocols. 2-tailed t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests were used (P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance). RESULTS: The deviation from true isocenter was 6.8 ±â€¯6.1 mm (P = 0.043) and 16.3 ±â€¯14.0 mm (P < 0.01) with and without the 3D camera, respectively (P < 0.01). CT radiographers accepted isocenter location without alteration in 93 % of examinations. Average SSDE savings with the 3D camera ranged 1.0-2.4 mGy (21-31 %) for the 4 most commonly performed protocols (p < 0.01). Median scout time savings was 32 s (Camera vs. No-Camera cohorts) (P < 0.01). Average noncontrast chest CT and CT enterography scan time savings were 19 s and 17 s with the 3D camera, respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The 3D camera improved accuracy of patient positioning while reducing radiation dose and examination time. Implementation of a 3D camera helps standardize workflow in a busy clinical practice.

Providing Compassionate Care for the Elderly Patient in Radiology.

The increasing age of the US population is increasing the demand for healthcare services for elderly patients. However, elderly patients, particularly those over the age of 75, may encounter unique challenges when seeking healthcare services, including radiological imaging. Radiology practices need to recognize the needs of this cohort and develop strategies to provide elderly patients with compassionate, high quality care. In this article, we highlight obstacles that elderly patients may face in undergoing imaging examinations, and approaches that radiology practices may take in addressing these.

Preventing Burnout in the Face of Growing Patient Volumes in a Busy Outpatient CT Suite: A Technologist Perspective.

CT technologists, like radiologists, are at risk of increased stress and burnout due to ever increasing clinical and workload demands. To mitigate these issues, radiology facilities need to be prepared to actively address and resolve issues that impact the technologist satisfaction. At our institution, a Process Improvement Committee was formed to identify and alleviate workplace stressors faced by CT technologists. As a result of the initiative, our CT department has evolved into a technologist-driven department in which experienced and effective technologists play a large role in fostering efficient and patient-centered care, while feeling empowered to function as leaders in their work environment. In this article, a senior CT technologist provides a first-hand account of the process changes from the technologist's perspective, focusing on strategies for establishing a supportive system that allows technologists to thrive in providing patient-centered care even in the busiest of clinical contexts.