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

Autor: Stephanie A. Parker, MS, Joseph Weygand, PhD, Beata Gontova Bernat, MS, Amanda M. Jackson, MS, Osama Mawlawi, PhD, Izabella Barreto, PhD, Yao Hao, PhD, Rao Khan, PhD, Afua A. Yorke, PhD, William Swanson, PhD, Mohammed Saiful Huq, PhD, Eugene Lief, PhD, Cesar Della Biancia, PhD, Christopher F. Njeh, PhD, Ahmad Al-Basheer, PhD, Oi Wai Chau, PhD, Stephen Avery, PhD, Wilfred Ngwa, PhD, Peter A. Sandwall, PhD
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Advances in Radiation Oncology, Vol 9, Iss 11, Pp 101615- (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2452-1094
DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2024.101615
Popis: 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.
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