Mentorship in Radiography: an Indispensable Tool for Sustainable Healthcare Transformation

  Background: The concept of mentorship has gained widespread popularity in literature across different walks of life owing to the significant benefits attached to it. Purpose: This paper intends to discuss the need for mentorship in radiography, as an indispensable tool for a sustainable healthcare transformation, taking clues from other health science disciplines and medicine. Method: Authors reviewed relevant literature on the subject to have an in-depth and updated knowledge both in the health sciences as well as in other disciplines. Search engines such as Google Scholar, My Websearch, and data base such as Science Direct, Hinari, Taylor and Francis and Medknow were consulted. Several articles that discussed mentorship across various disciplines were reviewed. Those with ideas and concepts that fit into the purpose of the study were included. Results: Several definitions and types of mentorship exist across different walks of life based on literature. However, we decided to adopt the definition of mentorship and types of mentorship by Feldman, who defined mentorship as a dynamic, reciprocal relationship in a work environment between an advanced career incumbent and a beginner, aimed at promoting the development of both. The uniform agreement across various disciplines is that mentoring is a crucial component of success. However, its application in radiography is inadequate. Conclusion: In view of the apparent benefits accruable to mentorship globally, stakeholders in radiography should make mentorship a priority, if we must maintain our role in a sustainable healthcare transformation.             &nbsp

Estimation of entrance surface dose to adult patients undergoing plain chest radiographic examinations in a Northern Nigerian population.

Objective: The entrance surface doses (ESD) to adult patients undergoing postero-anterior (PA) chest radiography were measured at Shika Ahmedu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Method:A total of 30 patients were prospectively considered in the study. The ESDs were obtained using thermo luminescence dosimeter (TLDs) chips, and Kumar's formula. Results: The estimated ESD obtained were 1.08 mGy and 0.76 mGy for TLD chips readings and Kumar's formula respectively. Comparison was made between the two readings, and a statistically significant difference was noted (p<0.029). Conclusion: Procedural changes are suggested in order to lower the ESD and enhance the image quality of the radiographs. ESDs in this study were found to be generally higher compared with those reported in similar studies in Southern Nigeria, UK, and CEC. The results call for improved operators technique and application of quality Assurance Programme (QAP) in radiology departments, to ensure that doses are kept as low as reasonably achievable, and also for the formulation of local diagnostic reference levels (LDRL)

Pattern of radiographic findings in patient with gunshot injuries in university of maiduguri teaching hospital.

Gunshot injuries (GSI) are a global public health problem and causes considerable problem in developing countries. Objectives: To determine the radiographic pattern of findings of gunshot injuries with its age and sex association and to find out its causes and anatomical part most involved. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted reviewing 397 records of patients with gunshot injuries with age range from 6-70 years, from December 2010 to December 2012, in Accident and emergency department of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Ethical clearance was obtained from the research ethical committee of the institution. Data collected was organized into groups according to age, sex, cause of gunshot injuries, patterns of findings and anatomical part affected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical software package, where the mean, percentages and frequencies were calculated. Result: The result showed that more males 92.7% were affected than the females 7.3% with a ratio of 13:1. More teenagers,within the age group of 11-20 years (20.4%) and young adults with age range from 21-30 years (38.3%) were mostly affected.Secondary assault 84.13% and armed robbery attack 10.8% were the highest cause of gunshot injuries. Fracture 44.8%, soft tissue bullets pellets injury 31.9% were the common findings, with the lower limb 53.6% and the upper limb 30.2% were the anatomical site commonly affected. Conclusion: The study found that more males were affected than the female with a ratio of 13:1. Extremities were the anatomical site commonly affected, with fractures and pellet injuries as the common injuries. Secondary assault (insurgence) and armed robbery attack were the major causes of these injuries which affected the most active age group (11-30 years) in the society

The Practice of Universal Precautions against Body Fluid Borne Infection among Radiology Staff in Some Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Title: The Practice of Universal Precautions against Body Fluid Borne Infections among Radiology Staff in Some Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria. Objectives; The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice of universal precaution against fluid borne infections among radiology staff in northern Nigeria teaching hospitals to elicit responses to questions regarding their knowledge and practice of universal precaution. Methods: A prospective cross sectional study using structured questionnaire was conducted among radiology staff practicing in teaching hospitals in northern Nigeria. The questionnaire was sent out by post and the response rate over a period of two months period was 52.5%, (n=63).  Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency and percentages were generated using statistical package for social sciences (spss) version 14.0. Result; Results show that 95.3%, (60) of the radiology staff come in contact with body fluid in their work while 87.3%, (55) have good knowledge of universal precaution. There were 72.7%, (46) of the studied staff who practice universal precaution. Only 41.3%, (26) of the staff use the incident reporting system when exposed to patients body fluid. It also found managements laxity in providing all necessary personal protective equipment such as gloves, mask, goggles, and aprons. Conclusion: This study found radiology staff of teaching hospitals in northern Nigeria have satisfactory knowledge of universal precaution which is not matched by practice. Keywords:Universal Precautions, Fluid-borne Infection, practice, Radiology, Knowledg

The assessment of patients' perception and satisfaction of radiology waiting time in university of maiduguri teaching hospital.

The patient is the most important person in the entire hospital setup and it is the duty of the health care personnel to give special attention to the management of patient to enhance effective service delivery.Waiting time is the total time from registration until consultation with healthcare personnel.It is an aspect of care that patients value most. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate Patients' perceived satisfaction with waiting time in Department of Radiology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State Nigeria. Method: The study was a cross-sectional prospective survey, that targeted patients who presented at the radiology department for HSG and IVU over the period of six months with a response rate of 70%, (n=70). The mean age of the participants was 33.6years. Data was collected using a 23 item self-completion questionnaire designed in line with the objectives of the study. Data were categorized into groups and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 16.0, where descriptive statistics such as the mean, percentages and frequencies were generated and tabulated. Pearson's correlation at p<0.01(2 tailed) was used to test for relationship Results: The results showed that 64.3%, (n=45) were female while 35.7%, (n=25) were male, out of these, 42.9% (n=30) were referred for HSG, and 57.1% (n=40) were for IVU. Among the patients referred for IVU, 37.5%, (n=15) were female, and 62.5%, (n=25) were male. Waiting time (before and after investigation) and satisfaction was found to be significant at (p<0.01 2-tailed), with the waiting time. Conclusion: Insufficient number of counter service staff (Receptionist) and insufficient number of Radiologist and Radiographers were some of the factors that affect patient's satisfaction with waiting time, as investigations and reports were delayed.&nbsp