Ghana radiographers urged to adopt artificial intelligence systems

General news for Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Source: Peace FM

2020-11-10

The President of the Ghana Radiographers Association, Prince Rockson, has advised radiographers in the country to learn how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their daily operations to ensure better outcomes for their patients.

According to him, radiographers are the interface between imaging technology and patients and are professionally responsible for the physical and psychological well-being of patients after imaging investigations or therapeutic procedures.

Artificial intelligence, in recent global developments, he noted, has seen an increasing integration of complex machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence itself within medical safety, equipment operation, image review and treatment planning processes.

Delivering a speech at a virtual general meeting and the celebration of the 125th World Radiography Day of the Ghana Society of Radiographers (GSR) in Accra over the weekend, Mr. Rockson said that the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has already started using artificial devices. Intelligence in the fight against tuberculosis.

“The Ghana Health Service is already enrolling the use of AI in the TB control project by rolling out CAD4 software packages which has the potential to bring some more efficiency in the fight against TB in the country. “, said.

In addition, he stated that the adoption of AI in medical imaging and radiation therapy requires radiographers to adapt their imaging and treatment practices to ensure that this new technology is properly implemented, used and regulated, based on research evidence. high quality, maximizing benefits for your patients.

“Changes in practice must be supported by proper education and training. Ghana as a nation is at a pivotal moment in its history with regard to health care. While the Ministry of Health (MOH) together with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) is doing everything possible to provide better access and affordable health care to achieve the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (of which our President HE Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo is ambassador), artificial intelligence in radiography and radiotherapy also deserves critical attention ”.

“Radiographers play an active role in the justification and optimization of radiotherapeutic and medical imaging procedures, and have a critical position and a vital role in the radiation safety of patients, caregivers and family members according to the ‘As low as reasonably practical (ALARP) “principle and relevant legislation,” he stated.

Mr. Rockson noted that in the current situation in Ghana, human resource capacity is of great importance as it needs properly trained professionals at various specialized levels to treat patients in the adoption of global technological advance.

“In keeping with the theme of this year’s celebration, the Ghana Society of Radiographers is calling on the government, through the Ministry of Health and the Allied Health Professions Council, to establish the Allied Health Professionals College of Ghana, which will be in charge of training specialists in health programs to improve patient care ”.

“This will also provide senior radiographers the opportunity to advance their specialty roles in modality-specific imaging, image interpretation, research, teaching, administration, and other radiologic subspecialties.

Radiography, with improved and continuously improving technology, is poised to make even more immense contributions to global medical practice in the future, ”he said.

A senior radiation therapist working at Kenyatta National Hospital, Mr. Caesar Barare also in a solidarity speech called on all radiographers to adopt the AI ​​system.

Mr Barere, who is the immediate past Regional Director of ISRRT – Africa, former President of the Radiography Society in Kenya, said in May 2020 that the Society of Radiographers – UK emphasized the role of radiographers to play a role Active in planning, development and implementation, use and validation of AI applications in medical imaging (MI) and radiotherapy (RT).
This, he said, can be achieved through proper education of current and future professionals and is intended to improve the efficiency of service delivery and the performance attributed to AI.

“This in no way negates the fact that effective and compassionate communication with the patient, the general public, other caregivers and healthcare colleagues, will continue to be a fundamental skill for radiographers. Even with automated medical radiation administration procedures, radiation protection and safety issues remain the responsibility of the radiographer; for example in MI; justification, optimization and dose reduction, and in RT in all of the above and minimizing the radiation dose to normal tissue and escalating the dose to the tumor ”, he said.

Professor Mark Chukwudi Okeji, Secretary of the Nigerian Radiographer Registration Board and President of the Africa Radiography Forum and former President of the Nigerian Association of Radiographers also said that AI is already with us in all professions with big inroads in medical imaging.

“Little by little he is taking over some jobs in various professions. As radiographers and medical imaging professionals, we must strive to maintain firm control of our profession by developing a broad base by optimizing our training and practice. We must continue to participate in continued self-development and the acquisition of higher degrees. In that way, we become part of the research to improve our profession, by using AI, instead of being afraid of AI, ”he said.

The Ghana Society of Radiographers is the sole professional body for all Radiographers (which includes Diagnostic Therapists, Radiotherapists and Sonographers) and is regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council of Ghana.

These specialty fields are pillars of medical practice that bring enormous benefits to humanity.

November 8 marks the day reserved by the world to commemorate the discovery of X-rays by Professor Conrad Roentgen in 1895; and how this discovery revolutionized current medical practice. It is a day that, internationally, is known as World Radiography Day and is celebrated annually around the world.

It is a commemorative day marked by events that underscore the role played by the discovery, and to re-evaluate the Quality of the services derived from the use of X-rays and the technological advances made to improve the safe and effective use of the discovery.

The Conference brings together and reinforces the unity of purpose and the interdependence of the various professions that deal with the clinical use of X-rays.

Once again, the commemoration aims to promote the professions in the field to make it more attractive to young people in an attempt to maintain and perpetuate the professions for the benefit of society.
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The benefits and risks of undergoing an X-radiation examination or therapy, the frequency and dose are carefully weighed by trained professionals before it is recommended and the correct doses are administered to achieve the required results with the minimum possibility of effects Harmful to patients.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Improving Patient Care with Artificial Intelligence.” Radiographers are essential to improve patient care with artificial intelligence.

Radiographers are the interface between imaging technology and patients and are professionally responsible for the physical and psychological well-being of patients after imaging investigations or therapeutic procedures.

Radiographers take an active role in the justification and optimization of radiotherapeutic and medical imaging procedures, and have a critical position and a vital role in the radiation safety of patients, caregivers and family members according to the ‘As low as reasonably Practical (ALARP) ‘principle and relevant legislation.

World Radiography Day is not only about honoring our pioneers and celebrating the past, but it is also about girdling our loins for the betterment of human life for the times to come. Let’s not forget that we have a position to fulfill and a duty to fulfill. I urge all of you to do your best in this difficult time as the front line of COVID-19 and contribute to the profession in which we are proud. As we move forward in our endeavors, let us be encouraged to strictly adhere to the Ghana Health Service protocols in our collective interest.