Ultrasound Use in Resource-limited Settings: A Systematic Review
Purpose: Over the past decade, ultrasound (US) machines have become smaller, less expensive, more reliable, durable and user-friendly, making ultrasonography an ideal imaging modality in resource-poor settings. We conducted a literature review to examine the use of ultrasound in resource-limited set...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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UMass Chan Medical School
2018-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Global Radiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/jgr/vol4/iss1/5/ |
| _version_ | 1797965661461282816 |
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| author | Ravindra Gopaul Gonzalo Bearman Michael P. Stevens |
| author_facet | Ravindra Gopaul Gonzalo Bearman Michael P. Stevens |
| author_sort | Ravindra Gopaul |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: Over the past decade, ultrasound (US) machines have become smaller, less expensive, more reliable, durable and user-friendly, making ultrasonography an ideal imaging modality in resource-poor settings. We conducted a literature review to examine the use of ultrasound in resource-limited settings, with emphasis on common applications, barriers to implementation, and impact on clinical decision-making and patient disposition. Methods and Materials: Literature review. We conducted a PubMed and Cochrane Central search on the clinical use of ultrasound in the developing world. Search terms included ultrasonography, developing countries, resource limited, remote setting, poverty, and low income. Articles from 2000 to 2015 that included data on the clinical use of ultrasound in resource limited settings were eligible for inclusion. Data on country of origin, medical specialty, US modality, clinical impact, and potential barriers to implementation were recorded. Results: Fifty-eight articles were eligible for inclusion. Most studies were observational, with Africa as the most common site, accounting for 35 articles. Radiology was the most represented specialty. Cardiac and obstetric were the most commonly utilized ultrasound modalities. Most data on cardiac ultrasound pertained to its role in the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease. Obstetric ultrasound was primarily used for pregnancy dating and diagnosing fetal abnormalities. Twelve studies examined clinical impact of ultrasound in resource-limited settings and showed that its use dramatically altered differential diagnosis and patient disposition. Common barriers to implementation were the high cost of equipment and maintenance, and lack of skilled personnel and formal training programs. A commonly cited consequence of ultrasound use in resource-poor settings was sex-selective abortions. Conclusion: Ultrasound has widespread clinical applications, particularly as a diagnostic tool in the developing world. Significant barriers exist with respect to access and training of US in resource-limited settings. Further research is needed to study its impact on medical decision-making, patient disposition and outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:03:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f74ba4f65fff435fa6080fcafe2f09a9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2372-8418 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:03:33Z |
| publishDate | 2018-12-01 |
| publisher | UMass Chan Medical School |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Global Radiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-f74ba4f65fff435fa6080fcafe2f09a92023-01-03T03:46:29ZengUMass Chan Medical SchoolJournal of Global Radiology2372-84182018-12-014110.7191/jgr.2018.1049Ultrasound Use in Resource-limited Settings: A Systematic ReviewRavindra Gopaul0Gonzalo Bearman1Michael P. Stevens2Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia Commonwealth UniversityPurpose: Over the past decade, ultrasound (US) machines have become smaller, less expensive, more reliable, durable and user-friendly, making ultrasonography an ideal imaging modality in resource-poor settings. We conducted a literature review to examine the use of ultrasound in resource-limited settings, with emphasis on common applications, barriers to implementation, and impact on clinical decision-making and patient disposition. Methods and Materials: Literature review. We conducted a PubMed and Cochrane Central search on the clinical use of ultrasound in the developing world. Search terms included ultrasonography, developing countries, resource limited, remote setting, poverty, and low income. Articles from 2000 to 2015 that included data on the clinical use of ultrasound in resource limited settings were eligible for inclusion. Data on country of origin, medical specialty, US modality, clinical impact, and potential barriers to implementation were recorded. Results: Fifty-eight articles were eligible for inclusion. Most studies were observational, with Africa as the most common site, accounting for 35 articles. Radiology was the most represented specialty. Cardiac and obstetric were the most commonly utilized ultrasound modalities. Most data on cardiac ultrasound pertained to its role in the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease. Obstetric ultrasound was primarily used for pregnancy dating and diagnosing fetal abnormalities. Twelve studies examined clinical impact of ultrasound in resource-limited settings and showed that its use dramatically altered differential diagnosis and patient disposition. Common barriers to implementation were the high cost of equipment and maintenance, and lack of skilled personnel and formal training programs. A commonly cited consequence of ultrasound use in resource-poor settings was sex-selective abortions. Conclusion: Ultrasound has widespread clinical applications, particularly as a diagnostic tool in the developing world. Significant barriers exist with respect to access and training of US in resource-limited settings. Further research is needed to study its impact on medical decision-making, patient disposition and outcomes.https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/jgr/vol4/iss1/5/ultrasonographydeveloping countriesresource limitedremote settingpovertylow income |
| spellingShingle | Ravindra Gopaul Gonzalo Bearman Michael P. Stevens Ultrasound Use in Resource-limited Settings: A Systematic Review Journal of Global Radiology ultrasonography developing countries resource limited remote setting poverty low income |
| title | Ultrasound Use in Resource-limited Settings: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | Ultrasound Use in Resource-limited Settings: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Ultrasound Use in Resource-limited Settings: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ultrasound Use in Resource-limited Settings: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | Ultrasound Use in Resource-limited Settings: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | ultrasound use in resource limited settings a systematic review |
| topic | ultrasonography developing countries resource limited remote setting poverty low income |
| url | https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/jgr/vol4/iss1/5/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ravindragopaul ultrasounduseinresourcelimitedsettingsasystematicreview AT gonzalobearman ultrasounduseinresourcelimitedsettingsasystematicreview AT michaelpstevens ultrasounduseinresourcelimitedsettingsasystematicreview |