Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Workflow for Integrating POCUS Data into EHR for Managing Heart Failure Patients
Published on: July 12, 2024
The role of teleradiology during COVID-19 outbreak: Saudi radiologists' perspectives
Shrooq T Al-Dahery1, Walaa M Alsharif1, Fatima H Alamri1
1From the Department of Applied Radiologic Technology (Al-Dahery, Alamri, Nawawi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, and from the Faculty of Medicine (Mofti), University of Jeddah; from the College of Applied Medical Sciences (Alshamrani), King Saud bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences; from the Department of Radiological Sciences (Alshamrani). King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; from the Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs (Alshamrani), Jeddah; and from the Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department (Alsharif, Alhazmi, Suliman, Qurashi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Objectives:
To evaluate the role of teleradiology during the COVID-19 pandemic from Saudi radiologists' perspectives to improve the radiology quality service.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Arabia among radiologists working at local hospitals from October to November 2021. It contains 21 questions involved demographic information; general information on teleradiology services; and the impact of teleradiology during COVID-19. One-way ANOVA was used to compare demographic groups. Chi-square test was used to compare demographic groups regarding their distribution of responses. All tests were carried out <0.05 level of significance.
Results:
A total of 102 radiologists participated in this study (56% males, 44% females), 58.8% of them were sub-specialized in chest radiology. Regarding the general status of teleradiology, 69.6% of participants believed that teleradiology is a helpful tool for imaging interpretation. However, 44% of them were uncertain on the impact of teleradiology on patients' confidentiality. Approximately 87% of participants agreed that there is a positive contribution of teleradiology during COVID-19, which enables decreasing risk of infection and workload. There was a significant difference between professional degrees and overall participant responses (p<0.05). Academicians agreed that it enhances radiology departments' work (mean=17.78, SD=1.86).
Conclusion:
Concerns raised on complicated cases that require physical presence of patients, cannot be performed by teleradiology. Additionally, it might provide insufficient communication with other professionals to discuss images.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:29Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...