The role of teleradiology during COVID-19 outbreak: Saudi radiologists' perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of teleradiology during the COVID-19 pandemic from Saudi radiologists' perspectives to improve the radiology quality service. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Arabia among radiologists working at local hospitals from October to November 2021. It contains 21 questions involved demographic information; general information on teleradiology services; and the impact of teleradiology during COVID-19. One-way ANOVA was used to compare demographic groups. Chi-square test was used to compare demographic groups regarding their distribution of responses. All tests were carried out <0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: A total of 102 radiologists participated in this study (56% males, 44% females), 58.8% of them were sub-specialized in chest radiology. Regarding the general status of teleradiology, 69.6% of participants believed that teleradiology is a helpful tool for imaging interpretation. However, 44% of them were uncertain on the impact of teleradiology on patients' confidentiality. Approximately 87% of participants agreed that there is a positive contribution of teleradiology during COVID-19, which enables decreasing risk of infection and workload. There was a significant difference between professional degrees and overall participant responses (p<0.05). Academicians agreed that it enhances radiology departments' work (mean=17.78, SD=1.86). CONCLUSION: Concerns raised on complicated cases that require physical presence of patients, cannot be performed by teleradiology. Additionally, it might provide insufficient communication with other professionals to discuss images.

A Comparison of MRI Radiographers' Knowledge in Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Ireland in Relation to Image Quality Management, for Abdomen and Pelvic MRI Examinations.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to qualitatively compare current MRI radiographers' knowledge from Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Ireland in relation to MR image quality for abdominal and pelvic MRI examinations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Semistructured interviews were designed to investigate the professional role of radiographers towards image quality management, personal development in MRI, and training in relation to image quality improvement. Public, private, military, and academic hospitals in the Western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated, as did a range of public and private Irish centres. Clinical specialist radiographers (CSRs)/supervisors, and MR radiographers working in MR completed the interviews. These were recorded, coded, and transcribed. RESULTS: Sixty-one MR radiographers and CSRs/supervisors within 11 MRI departments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and 11 MRI departments in the Republic of Ireland participated in this study. Three themes resulted by using a qualitative data analysis program called NVivo: (1) health care professional and the cultural attitudes with regards to the scope of professional roles, (2) factors affecting image quality, and (3) departmental policy. Participants' knowledge of image quality varied and challenges to achieving optimal quality levels were noted. Differences in clinical practice between countries were identified, as was the impact of clinical experience and levels of education. CONCLUSION: Differences in attitude and clinical practice between Saudi and Irish radiographers and CSRs/supervisors working in MRI departments were identified. There is a need for further training and subsequent assessment of professional skills, including developing postgraduate opportunities, particularly for Saudi radiographers, to support radiographers in the routine management of MR image quality.