Global Health Radiology

Welcome Radiology Volunteers

This page features resources for onboarding radiologists for serving in low-middle income countries or resourced-limited settings utilizing teleradiology platforms or on-site. This has been created for the volunteers serving at Tenwek and Diospi-Suyana hospitals, and some of the information is specific to that group. However, much of this information will be helpful for those looking to explore Global Health service

On-boarding: clinical 

Educational case collections

I have saved and uploaded several cases from Tenwek and Diospi Suyana hospital which highlight some of the advanced and unique diagnoses you will encounter there.  You can click on the photos or links to review the collections. 

As a Western-trained radiologist, there are a few things that are helpful to keep in mind: 

Comprehensive review of Tuberculosis

Dr. Read Vaughn, MD

Pulmonary Tuberculosis - Kanne.pdf

Imaging of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Dr. Jeffrey Kanne, MD

Abdominopelvic TB cases

Key features:

Hydatid disease cases

Key features:

Ascariasis cases

Key features:

CT without borders

Article comparing the most common diagnoses for abdominal pain from Tenwek (Kenya) and a US academic medical center 

On-boarding: non-clinical

Tenwek Hospital Profile.pdf

Hospital background

Please review this wonderful document prepared by Dr. Tim DeKoninck, Head of Critical Care Services/Department of Accident and Emergency at Tenwek Hospital. 

Internal/external consultations

We have created a central email where radiologists or physicians can reach out to us for questions about an examination. You will often hear back from someone in our group the same day (<24 hrs). 

These cases are often some of the most challenging and complex cases you have encountered as a radiologist. There may be motion or suboptimal use of contrast, making it even more difficult. 

Please use this internal consult service whenever you encounter a challenging or unknown case and you'd like a colleague or expert (subspecialized) opinion. Because these are often very tough cases, have a low threshold for asking for a second set of eyes. 

This little bit of extra time and effort will often make an enormous difference in the outcomes for the patient and help the clinical/surgical team provide optimal care. 

CT reporting templates

This folder will take you to our library of suggested structured reporting templates (optional, and modifiable based on your preferences). 

After creating a report, save it as a PDF and upload it to the teleradiology platform (Nucleus). 

2023 Tenwek CT ordering and contrast guidelines.docx

CT ordering Guide

Here is the ordering guide which details the CT examinations and indications offered at Tenwek Hospital. 

Additional resources/information

Radiology in Global Health texbook

This is a wonderful, comprehesive review of Global Health Radiology for those looking to expand their understanding and impact in the world. 

Suggestion: those with institutional/university library access to Springer may find this book in PDF form. 

The Dawn of Training Programs in Africa

Dr. Frank Minja and co-authors have written this excellent overview of the current status of training programs in Africa. 

Peer review and feedback model

Peer review and support are essential to practice and quality improvement. 

While admittedly painful, feedback is essential to targeting areas to grow in our image review, knowledge and reporting. 

Even in a volunteering context, opportunities for peer learning arise when pathology or surgical confirmation of cases is obtained. Participating in virtual tumor boards creates a constant stream of feedback. 

Feedback can be formalized and depersonalized to keep the emphasis on the learning opportunities, and shared with the group in a sensitive manner on a regular basis.  Review of cases can be facilitated by sending out a written list or recording and sharing a short video simulating a case conference. 

Here is a suggested information to send out. 

Supporting tumor boards

Volunteers can support institutional tumor boards remotely, which creates bridges of institutional knowledge and pooled expertise. It can create opportunities to expand the pool of involvement to various departments and specialties as relationships are built across the institutions. 

Due to differences in time zones, tumor board image reviews and comments can be pre-recorded and shared with the group instead of participating live. The cases should be sent out with 3-4 days' advanced notice so the radiologist has a chance to review the cases and pre-record (if applicable).  

An example intake form can be viewed here. 

Biopsy simulation lab: how-to

I recently put on a successful biopsy simulation lab using 1 Sonosite and 2 V-Scan Air probes and some eager (and excellent) surgery residents. 

Get some cow livers (thicker the better), targets (grapes or olives), and slice the back of the livers and insert your targets, covered in gel to reduce air. Place them on some cutting boards and also supply some spinal needles and 5-10cc syringes with water to simulate giving anesthesia. 

I delivered a 5-10 minute lecture introducing core concepts in US-guided biopsy, passed around the needles to show how they work (Biopince and Bard Monopty), explained the need to be in-plane and in the center of the probe, encouraged a combination of a buddy system approach with one person scanning and one person using needle, and also solo work.  If they had a 2-3 cm throw length, then they can get normal tissue + core, which is a nice way for them to visually confirm they got a good sample. It was a blast! 

Medical supply donations

MAP and Ethicon have wonderful, generous options for traveling with medical donations. Be sure to check out their offerings and contact the teams you are supporting. I simply shared the Ethicon order form with our surgeons and asked them to indicate which items they found the most useful. 

https://www.map.org/ethicon

The website is somewhat confusing to navigate. First, you must complete the eligibility application (apply to the program). After application, you can submit your Ethicon order. I did not get a confirmation from them, but I did reach out and they said I could submit my order right after sending in my application. They reach out before shipment for the $65 shipping charge. 

Purchasing guide for resource-limited settings

Here are tips for making medical supplies and equipment purchasese for overseas charitable/faith-based hospitals. 

Equipment purchasing guide - Kenya

RAD-AID Country Reports

Free PDF reports created by RAD-AID highlighting the current state of radiology in a variety of LIMCs.