Turning a blind eye: the mobilization of radiology services in resource-poor regions

Table 2 Core Conditions Utilizing X-Ray in Resource-Poor Settings

Type	Condition	Intervention	Skill Level	Necessity
Chest	Pneumonia	Medical management	Basic	High
	Tuberculosis	Medical management	Basic	High
	Pneumothorax	Chest tube placement	Advanced	High
	Pleural effusion	Thoracentesis	Advanced	High
	Cardiac failure	Medical management	Advanced	Moderate
	Hemothorax	Thoracentesis	Advanced	High
	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	Medical management	Basic	Moderate
	Asthma	Medical management	Basic	Moderate
	Lung abscess	Medical management	Advanced	High
	Occupational lung diseases	Medical management	Basic	Moderate
Limb	Long bone fracture	Reduction and fixation	Advanced	High
	Small bone fracture	Reduction and fixation	Advanced	High
	Osteomyelitis	Medical and surgical management	Basic	Moderate
	Dietary deficiency diseases (scurvy, rickets)	Nutrient supplementation	Basic	Moderate

*Skill level refers to the skills required both for diagnosis and for subsequent intervention of the generalist practitioner who might perform radiography. We indicate the skill level as such because we assume in the resource-poor context that the generalist practitioner would be required to interpret the film and perform the indicated intervention. Necessity refers to the need for the imaging modality in diagnosis and management of the condition listed.

ISSN: 1744-8603