Rob Anderson, Global CEO at Everlight Radiology, takes us through the future of radiology within the MENA region. With growing imaging demand and radiologist shortages, Everlight Radiology’s innovative teleradiology solutions are bridging the gap, ensuring expert care and reducing healthcare inequalities.
The global demand for medical imaging (investigations such as CT, MRI, Ultrasound and X-ray) is increasing annually. Radiologists who interpret or ‘read’ these images are the health sector’s unseen heroes: involved in over 80% of patient episodes and playing a vital role in diagnosing cancers and responding swiftly to help diagnose critically ill patients in emergency care settings.
As well as the patients requiring immediate care, chronic disease, which has a long-term and life-changing impact on patients, is on the rise in MENA, as well as everywhere else in the world. Many of these conditions also rely on diagnostic imaging to help play a critical part in defining appropriate patient care and guiding a path from the most effective diagnosis to treatment and discharge.
However, growth in the global demand for diagnostic imaging is far outpacing the growth of the global workforce of radiologists who are able to read the scans and images taken. The UK Royal College of Radiologists’ (RCR) Workforce Census 2023 reveals a 30% shortfall of clinical radiologists in the UK, with this projected to rise to 40% by 2028. In Australia, the Clinical Radiology Workforce Census Report also highlights a critical shortage, with only 91.5 clinical radiologists per million Australians. Similar trends are evident in the MENA region. Training a radiologist to a consultant level can take over 15 years in many cases.
This shortage has potentially serious and detrimental implications for patient care, including longer waiting times for treatment and the inability to access a quick diagnosis where this is necessary. Improving this situation by increasing the supply of radiologists is a challenge that Everlight Radiology has embraced.
Addressing the challenges
To address these structural workforce issues, Everlight Radiology brings an innovative and agile approach, using state-of-the-art technology to allow radiologists to practice wherever they are in the world – moving the image to the radiologist rather than taking the radiologist to the image. This also has a highly ethical component as it helps to retain highly skilled radiologists, those who would otherwise be ‘lost’, within the healthcare systems in which they trained. Technology, together with an innovative global mobility programme which gives radiologists a choice of where they base their practice, offers a unique way of solving one of healthcare’s greatest challenges.
By creating a global talent pool of radiologists, Everlight seeks to increase the capacity for reporting which ultimately benefits patients. Combined with intuitive AI solutions to give radiologists an ‘extra pair of eyes’ when reporting, this platform also improves quality and accuracy. At Everlight Radiology, a network of over 800 Consultant Radiologists provide this service on a 24/7/365 basis, ensuring that patients have access to expert and highly specialist radiological expertise wherever they may be.
Everlight never sleeps, it is always on call. For example, a radiologist who is trained and qualified to report in the UK can interpret an urgent CT of a suspected stroke patient at 3 am in the UK, but from his or her home in Australia, wide awake and working during daytime hours. This is better for patient care, enhancing accuracy and speed of treatment or intervention. By providing round-the-clock services, and improved reporting times, Everlight Radiology saves lives. This is the future of healthcare and Everlight Radiology is proud to be leading the charge.
Teleradiology reporting hub in Dubai
In 2023, Everlight Radiology expanded its footprint, opening a Dubai teleradiology reporting hub. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, this hub provides a base for radiologists living and working in or passing through the UAE. It allows them to provide a timely reporting service to healthcare providers in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Traditionally, radiologists have been confined to working within the physical boundaries of their local healthcare facilities, leading to disparities in the availability and quality of radiological services. A small, rural facility might only have access to one radiologist, who lacks highly specialist expertise. Teleradiology breaks down these barriers, connecting any hospital with specialised radiologists as needed and helping to democratise access to healthcare.
The ultimate flexible working policy
One of the most significant benefits of teleradiology is the flexibility it offers to radiologists. By enabling remote work, radiologists can achieve a better work-life balance, leading to increased job satisfaction and reduced burnout. This flexibility also attracts top talent who might otherwise be unable or unwilling to relocate, enriching the pool of experts.
Everlight Radiology offers the ultimate flexible working policy – pick your hours, pick to work from home, pick to work from any country anywhere in the world. Dubai is proving a highly desirable location for radiologists, with many staff members relocating to enjoy the lifestyle the city has to offer.
This flexibility is essential in enhancing job satisfaction among radiologists and helping to recruit new talent.
As teleradiology continues to evolve, it will play a pivotal role in ensuring that healthcare systems can keep pace with the increasing demand for medical imaging. It can also break down geographical barriers and help tackle global health inequalities.
Providing 24/7/365 access to specialised radiological expertise, teleradiology holds the promise of a more efficient, equitable, and effective healthcare system for the future.