According to data with the WHO, globally, more than two billion people struggle to get access to the most basic forms of imaging. Thus imaging majors are focussing on products that are easy-to-use, point-of-care, hardy versions of existing systems which can be transported to rural care scenarios, not requiring highly trained personnel. These criteria will be the hallmarks of many products to be launched at upcoming events like RSNA and IRIA.
Carrying forward this trend in the latest issue of In Imaging, we feature ‘Department Scan’: an in depth review of the radiology department and imaging facilities of a hospital/healthcare setting, on five key parameters which directly or indirectly impact both patient care and the hospital’s bottom line. So also, in the ‘Tech Scan’ segment, our editorial team asked users of Sonosite’s M-Turbo, positioned as a compact, portable point-of-care ultrasound system, to rate it on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the highest) on five key parameters. Both these segments strive to highlight the fact that without the right human software i.e. qualified radiologists , all the hi tech hardware is just a bunch of pricey wiring.
Its a sad reality that today these personnel need to be savvy about yet another field: medical law. Our Cover Story, ‘Probing legalities of ultrasound’, highlights the medico-legal minefield that sonologists need to manoeuvre, and is a cautionary tale for any practitioner of this art.
The Spotlight section analyses ”Dr Velumani’s ‘PET’ project’: Nueclear Healthcare. With his flagship brand Thyrocare disrupting the market with Friday discounts on pathology tests (’50 tests @1300′ went one ad) he is now gearing up to do the same in the nuclear medicine/cancer diagnostics space. Can he ‘nuke’ his naysayers once again?
Do write in and tell us who you’d like to see featured next in the ‘Spotlight’ as well other segments. We hope that our coverage of these movers and shakers highlights the many opportunities in radiology and imaging, both as a challenging profession for healthcare practitioners as well as a business opportunity. Besides a lack of doctors and nurses, India faces a dearth of radiographers. Only when we have adequate personnel qualified in the latest imaging techniques, can we reap its full potential as one of the most advanced diagnostic tools at our command today.
Viveka Roychowdhury
Editor
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