Assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school, according to seniority
Background. Chest radiographs are a common diagnostic tool in the internal medicine department, and correct interpretation is imperative for adequate patient management. Objective. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of common pathologies in South Africa that are evident on chest radiographs, an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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South African Medical Association
2023-04-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/ajtccm/article/view/963 |
| _version_ | 1827359501145079808 |
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| author | R G Dreyer C M van der Merwe M A Nicolaou G A Richards |
| author_facet | R G Dreyer C M van der Merwe M A Nicolaou G A Richards |
| author_sort | R G Dreyer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Chest radiographs are a common diagnostic tool in the internal medicine department, and correct interpretation is imperative for adequate patient management.
Objective. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of common pathologies in South Africa that are evident on chest radiographs, and to determine whether there are discrepancies according to different levels of qualification of doctors rotating through the internal medicine department, and which factors contribute to an accurate diagnosis.
Method. Fifteen chest radiographs with common pathologies were given to all doctors rotating through the Department of Internal Medicine at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, and they were asked to interpret them. Information pertaining to their experience, designation and confidence in chest radiograph interpretation was also obtained.
Results. Diagnostic accuracy according to years of experience was as follows: 0 - 5 years 27.0%, 6 - 10 years 43.0%, and >10 years 47.9%. For different designations, accuracy was as follows: consultants 50.5%, registrars 40.9%, medical officers 36.4%, and interns 19.5%. Participants who were confident obtained a mean score of 39.4% and those who were not, a mean score of 31.6%.
Conclusion. Chest radiographs are readily accessible and used daily in clinical practice in numerous facilities. An accurate diagnosis is important to provide quality healthcare. Improved training in interpretation for all, but especially for junior doctors, should be a priority in our training facilities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T06:31:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-22e361c0994a4d0fa5bb4a45be822741 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2617-0191 2617-0205 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T06:31:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | South African Medical Association |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-22e361c0994a4d0fa5bb4a45be8227412024-02-03T11:44:39ZengSouth African Medical AssociationAfrican Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine2617-01912617-02052023-04-01121710.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i1.265968Assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school, according to seniorityR G Dreyer0C M van der Merwe1M A Nicolaou2G A Richards3Department of Radiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaWESP Radiology, George, South AfricaVan Rensburg and Partners and Honorary Lecturer, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaEmeritus Professor of Critical Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaBackground. Chest radiographs are a common diagnostic tool in the internal medicine department, and correct interpretation is imperative for adequate patient management. Objective. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of common pathologies in South Africa that are evident on chest radiographs, and to determine whether there are discrepancies according to different levels of qualification of doctors rotating through the internal medicine department, and which factors contribute to an accurate diagnosis. Method. Fifteen chest radiographs with common pathologies were given to all doctors rotating through the Department of Internal Medicine at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, and they were asked to interpret them. Information pertaining to their experience, designation and confidence in chest radiograph interpretation was also obtained. Results. Diagnostic accuracy according to years of experience was as follows: 0 - 5 years 27.0%, 6 - 10 years 43.0%, and >10 years 47.9%. For different designations, accuracy was as follows: consultants 50.5%, registrars 40.9%, medical officers 36.4%, and interns 19.5%. Participants who were confident obtained a mean score of 39.4% and those who were not, a mean score of 31.6%. Conclusion. Chest radiographs are readily accessible and used daily in clinical practice in numerous facilities. An accurate diagnosis is important to provide quality healthcare. Improved training in interpretation for all, but especially for junior doctors, should be a priority in our training facilities.https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/ajtccm/article/view/963chest x-raydiagnosiscompetencyradiologyradiographymedicaltrainingeducation |
| spellingShingle | R G Dreyer C M van der Merwe M A Nicolaou G A Richards Assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school, according to seniority African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine chest x-ray diagnosis competency radiology radiography medical training education |
| title | Assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school, according to seniority |
| title_full | Assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school, according to seniority |
| title_fullStr | Assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school, according to seniority |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school, according to seniority |
| title_short | Assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school, according to seniority |
| title_sort | assessing and comparing chest radiograph interpretation in the department of internal medicine at the university of the witwatersrand medical school according to seniority |
| topic | chest x-ray diagnosis competency radiology radiography medical training education |
| url | https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/ajtccm/article/view/963 |
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