The perceptions and willingness of radiographers to extend their roles and become reporting radiographers in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

INTRODUCTION: There has been an increase in the need for diagnostic imaging services globally, which is faster than the capacity of radiologists. The current workforce model is not sustainable due to the predicted aging of the population and the contraction of the healthcare workforce. By extending the role of radiographers to a specific range of radiological reporting tasks. It may be possible to meet demand and relieve some pressure on radiologists and increase radiographer satisfaction and retention. The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions, and willingness of the Abu Dhabi radiographers to extend their role as reporting radiographers in skeleton radiography. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among radiographers in the UAE. The on-line questionnaire was designed to obtain demographic information about radiographers, their qualifications, their professional experience, their postgraduate training, their plans for professional development, as well as their interest in future career opportunities related to extended roles. RESULTS: This study had a response rate of 50% (n = 60). The government sector accounted for 75.3% of the survey's participants, while the private sector accounted for 24.7%. The main gains for role advancement were identified by 58.3% of the participants who were confident to start interpreting the upper and lower extremities in the emergency room (ER), and 86.3% were willing to be reporting radiographers. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the Abu Dhabi radiographers are willing to extend their role in the interpretation of general X-ray images of skeletons. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Curriculum development in radiography and medical imaging education jointly with licensing health authority bodies is required to plan for the new radiographer reporting role.

Optimized serum ferritin prediction of iron overload in transfusion-dependent thalassemia: likelihood ratio and age-adjustment approach.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of iron overload in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients is critical to prevent complications and improve survival. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the utility of serum ferritin (SF) in the prediction of hepatic and myocardial iron overload (HIO and MIO) compared to T2*-MRI. DESIGN: Retrospective SETTINGS: Governmental hospitals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with TDT who had T2*-MRI examinations between January 2016 to October 2019 were included. The predictive value of SF for detection of HIO and MIO was assessed by measuring area under the curve (AUC). A sample size of 123 cases was calculated to detect a correlation of 0.25 with 90% power and a two-sided type I error of 0.05. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The correlation between SF and estimated hepatic iron concentration. SAMPLE SIZE: 137 TDT patients who required regular blood transfusions. RESULTS: The predictive value of SF was excellent for detection of HIO (AUC=0.83-0.87) but fair for detection of MIO (AUC=0.67). The two independent predictors of MIO were age and SF. The log of (age × SF) enhanced the SF predictive value for MIO (AUC=0.78). SF values of 700 and 1250 mg/L effectively excluded mild and moderate HIO with a sensitivity of 97.8% and 94.2%, respectively (LR-=0.1). While SF values of 1640 and 2150 mg/L accurately diagnosed mild and moderate HIO with a specificity of 95.55% and 96.4%, respectively (LR+>10). A log of (age × SF) cut-off value of 4.15 effectively excluded MIO (LR-=0.1), while a value of 4.65 moderately confirmed MIO (LR+=3.2). CONCLUSIONS: SF is an excellent predictor of hepatic IO in TDT. Age adjustment enhanced its myocardial IO predictive accuracy. Likelihood ratio-based SF cut-off values may help clinicians in risk stratification and treatment decision-making. LIMITATIONS: The laboratory data were gathered retrospectively and although the risk of selection bias for T2*-MRI examination is thought to be low, it cannot be ignored. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

The Role of Molecular Imaging in Personalized Medicine.

The concept of personalized medicine refers to the tailoring of medical treatment to each patient's unique characteristics. Scientific advancements have led to a better understanding of how a person's unique molecular and genetic profile makes them susceptible to certain diseases. It provides individualized medical treatments that will be safe and effective for each patient. Molecular imaging modalities play an essential role in this aspect. They are used widely in screening, detection and diagnosis, treatment, assessing disease heterogeneity and progression planning, molecular characteristics, and long-term follow-up. In contrast to conventional imaging approaches, molecular imaging techniques approach images as the knowledge that can be processed, allowing for the collection of relevant knowledge in addition to the evaluation of enormous patient groups. This review presents the fundamental role of molecular imaging modalities in personalized medicine.

The Impact of COVID-19 Crisis on the Control and Management of Radiography Practice in the United Arab Emirates.

The present study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on radiology practices in Abu Dhabi, UAE. An electronic survey (Google form) was distributed among Abu Dhabi government and private hospitals. The survey included general X-ray services, which were only provided in the radiology departments. The diagnostic radiographers who reported changes in the number and type of radiology procedures (37%) reported that the changes reached 61-80% compared to the number of procedures being conducted prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. While infection control was challenging due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), 51.2% of the participants were affected. The healthcare workers in the radiology departments in Abu Dhabi are exposed to a high number of COVID-19-infection patients, which increases their chances of contracting the disease. A total of 90% of employees were infected with COVID-19 during the crisis. COVID-19 has resulted in changes in clinical working patterns, such as the type and number of procedures performed daily. Additionally, PPE shortages, staff infection during the pandemic, an increase in workplace-related difficulties, and staff well-being are common consequences of the pandemic. It is vital to enhance coping strategies in order to support staff well-being. However, the psychological effects caused as a result of the pandemic should not be ignored, and providing professional support to workers is recommended.