A Survey on Teleradiology Infrastructure in Selected Hospitals in Ahvaz, 2014

Subject Areas : medical documents

Javad Zarei ¹ , Zahra Sharifat ²

1 - PhD Student of Health Information Management, Department of Management and Information Technology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
2 - Student of Health Information Technology, Department of Information Technology and Management, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, )Corresponding Author), [e-mail]

Received: 2015-05-23 Accepted : 2017-01-10 Published : 2016-02-20

Keywords: Teleradiology, Hospital, Infrastructure, Telemedicine,

Abstract :

Introduction: Teleradiology able to utilize technologies such as medical image archiving system and transport and communication infrastructure suitable for various services in the field of radiology. One of the most important applications of Teleradiology in regard to infrastructure and standards is essential. The aim of this study was examining the teleradiology infrastructure in selected hospitals of Ahvaz. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1393. Teleradiology infrastructure in four hospitals in Ahvaz, using checklist of 46 experts and specialists with knowledge of radiology at the four hospitals were assessed using a questionnaire. Data visiting the hospitals and collected through observation and interviews using descriptive statistics methods in Excel and SPSS software were analyzed. Result: Research findings regarding the awareness of the infrastructure Teleradiology showed most of awareness were related to the medical staff of the hospital Allama Karami hospital (77.32%) and the lowest level was related to the Aria hospital (65.32%). About Teleradiology -related information infrastructure most infrastructure was related to Naft large hospital and least infrastructure was related to Allama Karami hospital. Total results showed Naft large hospital is better prepared to implement Teleradiology. Conclusion: The findings showed there are problems such as economic barriers and lack of PACS to the implementation of Teleradiology system. Thus providing financial incentives from the government, development of the telecommunications infrastructure and increase awareness of experts about the benefits of Teleradiology can contribute to the development of this system in hospitals. Introduction: Teleradiology able to do the different services in Radiology scope using technologies such as Picture Archiving and Communication system and the essential infrastructures and standards. To use Teleradiology attention to infrastructure and standards is essential. The aim of this study was examining the teleradiology infrastructure in selected hospitals of Ahvaz.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1393. Teleradiology infrastructures and awareness of 46 experts and specialists were assessed using checklist and questionnaire in four selected hospitals in Ahwaz. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire and checklist were confirmed. Data were collected by researcher presence referred in hospitals studied. Data analysis was done using SPSS software.Result: Research findings regarding the awareness of the infrastructure Teleradiology showed most of awareness were related to the medical staff of the hospital Allama Karami hospital (77.32%) and the lowest level was related to Aria hospital (65.32%). About Teleradiology -related information infrastructure most infrastructure was related to Naft large hospital and least infrastructure was related to Allama Karami hospital. Conclusion: The findings showed there are problems such as economic barriers and lack of PACS to the implementation of Teleradiology system. Thus providing financial incentives from the government, the development of telecommunications infrastructure and increase awareness of experts in this field, can contribute to the development of this system in hospitals.