Assessing Radiology and Radiation Therapy Needs for Cancer Care in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries: Insight From a Global Survey of Departmental and Institutional Leaders
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Purpose: The global cancer burden and mortality rates are increasing, with significant disparities in access to care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to identify radiology and radiation therapy needs in LMICs from the perspective of departmental and institutional leaders. Methods and Materials: A survey was developed and conducted by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Global Needs Assessment Committee and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine International Council. The survey, organized into 5 sections (Introduction, Infrastructure Needs, Education Needs, Research Needs, and General Information), was open to respondents from March 1, to August 16, 2022. Results: A total of 175 responses were received from 6 global regions: Africa (31.4%), the Americas (17.7%), the Eastern Mediterranean (14.3%), Europe (9.1%), Southeast Asia (23.4%), and the Western Pacific (4.0%). The greatest reported need was for new or updated equipment, particularly positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging technology. There was also a high demand for clinical and equipment training. Approximately 25% of institutions reported a lack of radiology-based cancer screening programs because of high health care costs and a shortage of specialized equipment. Many institutions that expressed interest in research face funding and grant challenges. Conclusions: The findings highlight critical areas where organizations can support LMICs in enhancing radiology and radiation therapy services to mitigate the growing cancer burden.
Source: Advances in Radiation Oncology
Authors: Stephanie A. Parker, Joseph Weygand, Beata Gontova Bernat, Amanda M. Jackson, Osama Mawlawi, Izabella Barreto, Yao Hao, Rao Khan, Afua A. Yorke, William Swanson, Mohammed Saiful Huq, Eugene Lief, Cesar Della Biancia, Christopher F. Njeh, Ahmad Al-Basheer, Oi Wai Chau, Stephen Avery, Wilfred Ngwa, Peter A. Sandwall
Institutions: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Moffitt Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic in Florida, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Florida Health, University of Florida, Washington University in St. Louis, Howard University, University of Washington, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indiana University School of Medicine, Sutter Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Hospital, OhioHealth, OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
OpenAlex ID: W4402025519