Attitude of Sri Lankan radiography undergraduates towards artificial intelligence used in medical imaging

This study was conducted to evaluate the attitude of radiography un-dergraduates in Sri Lanka towards artificial intelligence (AI) on medical imaging. An electronic questionnaire designed by Google forms survey administration software was used for data collection. The questionnaire consisted of different sections to evaluate demographic status of the participants, attitude, practice and knowledge related to AI on medical imaging. A total of 168 students responded to the questionnaire. The majority of them (64.3%) were female. Most of the respondents (92.3%) stated that they have practiced plain radiography imaging mo-dality during their clinical training. Around 67.9% respondents were aware about the AI based applications used in medical imaging. How-ever, the majority of respondents (51.17%) opined that AI will drastical-ly change and revolutionize medical imaging tools and methods in a foreseeable future. Most of the respondents (64.29%) believed that the use of AI based applications will make a radiographer's duties more technical in the next 5-10 years. More than two thirds of the respond-ents (73.8%) stated their interest to involve any research on AI based techniques. In sub group analysis, there is a significant difference (p>0.05) of attitude between male and female respondents while no significant difference (p [J Med Allied Sci. 2021; 11(2):163-171

Empanelment of the Population to the Primary Medical Care Institution of Sri Lanka: A Mixed-Methods Study on Outcomes and Challenges

The registration of individuals with designated primary medical care institutions (PMCIs) is a key step towards their empanelment with these PMCIs, supported by the Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka. We conducted an explanatory mixed-methods study to assess the extent of registration at nine selected PMCIs and understand the challenges therein. By June 2021, 36,999 (19.2%, 95% CI-19.0–19.4%) of the 192,358 catchment population allotted to these PMCIs were registered. At this rate, only 50% coverage would be achieved by the end of the project (December 2023). Proportions of those aged <35 years and males among those registered were lower compared to their general population distribution. Awareness activities regarding registration were conducted in most of the PMCIs, but awareness in the community was low. Poor registration coverage was due to a lack of dedicated staff for registration, misconceptions of health care workers about individuals needing to be registered, reliance on opportunistic or passive registration, and lack of monitoring mechanisms; these were further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving forward, there is an urgent need to address these challenges to improve registration coverage and ensure that all individuals are empaneled before the close of the project for it to have a meaningful impact

Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka: Status and Challenges with Human Resources, Information Systems, Drugs and Laboratory Services

A Primary Healthcare-System-Strengthening Project (PSSP) is implemented by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, with funding support from the World Bank for providing quality care through primary medical care institutions (PMCIs). We used an explanatory mixed-methods study to assess progress and challenges in human resources, drug availability, laboratory services and the health management information system (HMIS) at PMCIs. We conducted a checklist-based assessment followed by in-depth interviews of healthcare workers in one PMCI each in all nine provinces. All PMCIs had medical/nursing officers, but data entry operators (44%) and laboratory technicians (33%) were mostly not available. Existing staff were assigned additional responsibilities in PSSP, decreasing their motivation and efficiency. While 11/18 (61%) essential drugs were available in all PMCIs, buffer stocks were not maintained in &gt;50% due to poor supply chain management and storage infrastructure. Only 6/14 (43%) essential laboratory investigations were available in &gt;50% of PMCIs, non-availability was due to shortages of reagents/consumables and lack of sample collection&ndash;transportation system. The HMIS was installed in PMCIs but its usage was sub-optimal due to perceived lack of utility, few trained operators and poor internet connectivity. The PSSP needs to address these bottlenecks as a priority to ensure sustainability and successful scale-up

Outcomes and Challenges in Noncommunicable Disease Care Provision in Health Facilities Supported by Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka: A Mixed-Methods Study

The Primary Healthcare System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka focuses on improving noncommunicable disease (NCD) care provision at primary medical care institutions (PMCIs). We conducted an explanatory mixed-methods study to assess completeness of screening for NCD risk, linkage to care, and outcomes of diabetes/hypertension care at nine selected PMCIs, as well as to understand reasons for gaps. Against a screening coverage target of 50% among individuals aged ≥ 35 years, PMCIs achieved 23.3% (95% CI: 23.0–23.6%) because of a lack of perceived need for screening among the public and COVID-19-related service disruptions. Results of investigations and details of further referral were not documented in almost half of those screened. Post screening, 45% of those eligible for follow-up NCD care were registered at medical clinics. Lack of robust recording/tracking mechanisms and preference for private providers contributed to post-screening attrition. Follow-up biochemical investigations for monitoring complications were not conducted in more than 50% of diabetes/hypertension patients due to nonprescription of investigations by healthcare providers and poor uptake among patients because of nonavailability of investigations at PMCI, requiring them to avail services from the private sector, incurring out-of-pocket expenditure. Primary care strengthening needs to address these challenges to ensure successful integration of NCD care within PMCIs