A snapshot of unreported radiographs, image interpretation turn-around times and implications for radiography...

Access to timely image interpretation is critical for accurate diagnosis and effective patient management. However, radiologist shortages are likely to compromise image interpretation turnaround times (TATs) and leave many radiographs unreported. This cross-sectional survey-based study examines image interpretation TATs and the volume of unreported radiographs in Ghanaian healthcare facilities.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted across public and private healthcare facilities in Ghana. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire collecting information on facility characteristics, access to radiologist, radiographic workload and reporting TATs. Data were analysed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS v24. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for differences.

53.8% (n = 63) of the facilities had no radiologist, 19.7% (n = 23) had full-time radiologists, 10.3% (n = 12) had part-time, and 16.2% (n = 19) relied on remote reporting. For facilities with access to radiologists (n = 54), emergency cases were mostly reported within 24 h (48.1%, n = 26/54), while non-emergency cases took 2-3 days (59.3%, n = 32/54). Radiologist shortages (94.4%, n = 51/54) and high radiologist workload (77.8%, n = 41/54) were the most frequently cited causes of reporting delays. Across the 117 facilities, the majority (57.3%, n = 67/117) indicated performing between 10,001 and 20,000 general radiographic examinations annually, with 54.7% (n = 64/117) indicating that all radiographs produced were unreported.

Many healthcare facilities in Ghana are confronted with substantial delays in image reporting times and large volumes of unreported X-ray images.

Delays in X-ray reporting times and high volumes of unreported radiographs may negatively impact effective healthcare delivery. Addressing these through targeted interventions may help improve service delivery.