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Humanitarian Teleradiology

  • GLOBAL RADIOLOGY (R STEIN-WEXLER, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To outline the current state of humanitarian teleradiology: scope of projects, technical and organization challenges, and to outline how recent technological developments will change the face of humanitarian teleradiology and global health.

Recent Findings

Technical and information technology improvements in recent years have enabled small- and large-scale teleradiology projects in many regions, some quite remote, of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These are aimed at alleviating the severe shortage of radiologists in LMICs. Teleradiology offers an opportunity for radiologists in high-income countries (HICs) to volunteer and contribute on an ongoing basis without the commitment of time and effort required by volunteers in other forms of global health. Recent and anticipated improvements in internet availability, as well as the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), will continue to change the face of teleradiology and radiology in LMICs.

Summary

Humanitarian teleradiology provides valuable benefits to patient care in LMICs, and the combination of AI and widespread access to high-speed internet will revolutionize the field within the next decade.

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Correspondence to Jeffrey B. Mendel.

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Mendel, J.B., Lee, J.T., Dhiman, N. et al. Humanitarian Teleradiology. Curr Radiol Rep 7, 17 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-019-0327-7

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