Just a few questions and a few facts.
Fact: We are told that we have insufficient radiologists to keep up with the demand.
Fact: We are told that radiologists interpret the various diagnostic images and submit a report to our doctors.
Fact: We are told that the Provincial government is actively recruiting more radiologists.
Fact: From one doctor’s lips - “if you are not close to dead, you will wait 3-6 months for an ultra-sound.
Fact: It took over 3 months for me to get an ultra-sound.
Fact: It can take up to 4 months for a non-urgent image to be read by the radiologist. (This from a doctor’s lips)
Fact: Diagnostic images are put on line, immediately, and your doctor can review the image on-line. If your doctor sees something that is identified as a concern, your image will receive prompt attention. (This from a doctor’s lips)
Fact: Software developers, software vendors and hardware vendors have been suckling at the plump government teat for years and years.
Fact: The actual medical hardware I.E. MRI, is underutilized - the delay is due to demand on to few radiologists.
Question: (See where I am going, people?) Digital images, on-line, already being viewed by doctors (at least those that care). Uh, do you suppose with that type of technology already being used, that we might employ radiologists who do not live in Paradise (gasp) to review on-line images. Not every jurisdiction is short of radiologists - perhaps they might enjoy the opportunity to make a few bucks helping out their poor cousins in the East?
Question: Are their vested interests that prevent this?