H E A L T H I N S I G H T S
The global demand for medical imaging ( investigations such as CT , MRI , Ultrasound and X-ray ) is increasing annually . Radiologists who interpret or ‘ read ’ these images are the health sector ’ s unseen heroes : involved in over 80 % of patient episodes and playing a vital role in diagnosing cancers and responding swiftly to help diagnose critically ill patients in emergency care settings .
As well as the patients requiring immediate care , chronic disease , which has a long-term and life-changing impact on patients , is on the rise in MENA , as well as everywhere else in the world . Many of these conditions also rely on diagnostic imaging to help play a critical part in defining appropriate patient care and guiding a path from the most effective diagnosis to treatment and discharge .
However , growth in the global demand for diagnostic imaging is far outpacing the growth of the global workforce of radiologists who are able to read the scans and images taken . The UK Royal College of Radiologists ’ ( RCR ) Workforce Census 2023 reveals a 30 % shortfall of clinical radiologists in the UK , with this projected to rise to 40 % by 2028 . In Australia , the Clinical Radiology Workforce Census Report also highlights a critical shortage , with only 91.5 clinical radiologists per million Australians . Similar trends are evident in the MENA region . Training a radiologist to a consultant level can take over 15 years in many cases .
This shortage has potentially serious and detrimental implications for patient care , including longer waiting times for treatment and the inability to access a quick diagnosis where this is necessary . Improving this situation by increasing the supply of radiologists is a challenge that Everlight Radiology has embraced .
Addressing the challenges
Rob Anderson , Global CEO at Everlight Radiology , takes us through the future of radiology within the MENA region . With growing imaging demand and radiologist shortages , Everlight Radiology ’ s innovative teleradiology solutions are bridging the gap , ensuring expert care and reducing healthcare inequalities .
To address these structural workforce issues , Everlight Radiology brings an innovative and agile approach , using state-of-the-art technology to allow radiologists to practice wherever they are in the world – moving the image to the radiologist rather than taking the radiologist to the image . This also has a highly ethical component as it helps to retain highly skilled radiologists , those who would otherwise be ‘ lost ’, within the healthcare systems in which they trained . Technology , together with an innovative global mobility programme which gives radiologists a choice of where they base their
RADIOLOGY
WITHOUT BORDERS :
ADVANCING MEDICAL IMAGING IN MENA
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