Evaluation of Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Services and Education in the Republic of Yemen

Abstract

The importance of this study comes from being the first postgraduate study in Yemen at the field of Diagnostic Radiologic Technology (DRT). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Services and Education in the General Governmental Hospitals (GGH) and Health Institutes. The study methods include the visits, the questionnaires, written examination and practical test. It is clear from the health indicators the lack of health services in Yemen compared with low-income group countries, the number of available hospitals (55 hospital) is inconvenient with the population number, and found that Yemen need additional 17 hospitals, and the number of physicians/10,000 population equals 3, while the ratio in the low-income group countries equals 5, at the same time the number of beds /10,000 population in Yemen equals 7, although the proportion in low-income countries is equal to 10. From the visits to the radiology departments in Sana'a, Aden, Taiz, Hodeida and Ibb GGH, the researcher found out that:  The targeted GGH were 20 hospitals, these hospitals possess 120 medical imaging equipment, the large number of these machines are U/S machines (47 machines), followed by Radiographic machines, its number equals 35 machines. The focused GGH possess only 42 radiologists; 57%(24 radiologists) of the radiologists found in Sana'a. On other hand, it was IV found that; the number of radiographers is 190 radiographers, 33% of them found in Sana'a, at the same time Diploma holders of them equals 121radiographrers (64% of the total number) and there is only one technologist with B.Sc. degree.  The researcher found out that; in 43% (9 GGH) of the targeted GGH, there is no radiologists, and in 82% of the hospitals possess a radiologist, the radiologist don't diagnose radiographs. The radiologist in Yemen didn't take care in conventional radiography and concentrate his work in advance modalities especially U/S.  At the same time 5% of the GGH (1 H.) without superintendent. And in the hospitals possess the superintendent, his responsibilities commonly didn't implement; for example 11% (2 H.) of them only follows and fills the records. Generally the administration procedures didn't implement in the selected hospitals; there is no administrative temple in all hospitals, box for opinions unavailable, in 9% of the hospitals (2 H.), the administration records and explanatory signs available.  As the researcher found that; 72% (14H.) of the focused hospitals, there is no RP officer, but in all GGH the QA officer absent. By assessing the RP procedures, the researcher found out that; in 25% (5 H.) of the focused GPH, the TLDs unavailable, and in 30% (6 H.) of the GGH; the room shielding unsuitable. And during evaluation of the application of QA V procedures, the researcher found that; in all hospitals, there is no reject analysis, and QC tests absent. The radiographers' evaluation which had done by written and practical tests, after a special agreement made with those who seat to these exams, the results of the exams were:  63.8% (44 radiographers) of the radiographers attended the written examinations, their number 69 radiographers, failed (gained less than 50 marks), and the least marks means were in RP, QA and radiologic physics. The examination attended by 43 Diploma holders, and 26 Intermediate Diploma holders, during assessing the marks mean for Diploma holders, the result was 51, while the marks mean for Intermediate Diploma holders was 23 only; there is significant statistical difference between Diploma and Intermediate Diploma holders results.  Only 10% (3 radiographers) of the radiographers attended the practical assessment, their number equals 30 radiographers, failed (gained less than 50 marks). The practical assessment attended by 20 Diploma holders, and 10 low level certificates holders , by assessing the total marks mean for Diploma holders, it was equals 68, and the total marks mean for Intermediate Diploma holders was 50, and this means that; there was significant statistical difference between the Diploma holders and low level radiographers. VI By evaluation the Institutes' Radiology Sections, the researcher found out that:  The curriculum of Yemen institutes contains course specification, objectives, contents, reference, and describes the job description, but doesn't contain teaching and assessment methods. X-ray teaching department is absent in Ibb institute, but there is no phantoms for demonstration, the physics and QA lab are unavailable. Anatomy lab exists only in Hodeida and Aden institutes, while electronics and equipment labs exist in Sana'a institute. Sana'a institute is the ideal because it has a curriculum upgraded periodically, and it has adequate laboratories and libraries, at the same time the staff of the section have high qualifications and experience. The researcher hopes that the research results of the study are taken into account to improve the diagnostic radiology services, which will reflect positively on the improvement of medical service in Yemen.