Assessing the Diagnostic Imaging needs for Five Selected Hospitals in Uganda.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Uganda faces significant challenges with limited health resources.
• Accurate measurement of imaging needs is crucial for effective policy-making and service planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply four indices to quantify imaging needs in Ugandan hospitals: Imaging Load (IL), Imaging Burden (IB), Type Specific Imaging Burden (TSIB), and Disease Specific Imaging Burden (DSIB).
• To explore patient, clinician, and radiologist perceptions of imaging's role in patient care.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year cross-sectional survey (2005-2008) in five Ugandan hospitals using triangulation methodology.
• Quantitative analysis of 1961 patient case notes to calculate imaging indices.
• Qualitative exploration of non-measurable imaging needs from stakeholder perspectives.

Main Results:

• The overall Imaging Burden (IB) was 460 per 1000 patients annually.
• Ultrasound represented the highest Type Specific Imaging Burden (TSIB) at 232 per 1000 patients, followed by general X-ray (191 per 1000).
• Patient interviews revealed diverse expectations, desires, and misconceptions regarding medical imaging.

Conclusions:

• High imaging burden, particularly from ultrasound, necessitates strategic resource allocation.
• Patient perceptions, beliefs, and misconceptions significantly influence imaging demand.
• Addressing both tangible and intangible imaging needs, alongside public education on imaging modalities, is vital for informed patient choices and appropriate utilization, especially in critical cases like high-risk pregnancies.