Project start-up
WFPI began tele-reading chest and other plain X-rays for Khayeltisha Hospital, Western Cape, South Africa, in July 2012. Starting with 5 South African readers, the team reached 50 volunteer tele-readers worldwide and has read over 500 X-rays to date. Radiographs are digital, converted to JPEG. Their quality is adequat for interpretation.
Dr Harlem Gongxeca, a SASPI member and practicing pediatric radiologist in South Africa who voluntarily tele-reads for Khayelitsha and the WFPI
Project roll-out: ups & downs!
The project wound down in early 2013 following the departure of the onsite technician (responsible for referring films to WFPI). It re-started in September 2013, with a transfer of tele-reading from WFPI to Stanford University Hospital, USA, as part of WFPI's drive to set up partnerships between facilities in lower resource and modern medical settings. Referrals come from the facility's clinicians as opposed to the technician team, resulting in a reduced flow of problem cases only: an excellent development which avoids WFPI substitution of basic imaging services and places us in a role of "provider of expert second opinions".
The activity flow has been through further stops and starts since. Khayelitsha is a Ministry of Health facility and the take up of second opinion delivery for Khayelitsha clinicians within the Western Cape MoH network has required discussion. Furthermore, each clinician needed a referral email address - this has taken time.
The WFPI-Stanford tele-support role has been confirmed for the time being; the Red Cross Memorial Children's Hospital and WFPI will provide onsite lectures and training to strengthen pediatric imaging knowledge.
[Project backround: top right of page]