Availability of Basic Radiographic Services at Governmental Hospitals-Gaza Governorates, Palestine

Abstract

Background: The complex situation of the current health services exists to shift the system in significant ways to improve on this situation. The radiographic services need more efforts for building capacity. This study is conducted to evaluate radiographic services at governmental hospitals in Gaza Governorates. Methods: Triangulated study design was used for data collection. The quantitative part; 170 Radiologic Technologists completed questionnaires with 95.5% response rate. The researchers used arbitrated checklist to evaluate medical imaging facilities. Census study conducted on all Radiologic Technologists and medical imaging departments at six main governmental hospitals in the Gaza Strip. In addition, three key informant interviews with Radiologic Technologist managers were conducted. Findings: Findings revealed that shortage in number of radiographic equipment as well as Radiologic Technologists staff. The result reported statistically significant association between number of exams and patient waiting time in Conventional Radiography (p<0.001). Generally, radiographic departments that followed standard in structure were 45%. Regarding to fluoroscopic rooms, 79% of structure were followed the standard. The majority of existing Darkrooms full filled the international standard. Conclusion: An improvement in human resources among medical imaging facilities was clearly observed after 1996. An observable shortage in number of radiographic machines and Radiologic Technologists at all governmental hospitals. All departments revealed clear defect in structure, design and essential supplies. Critical readings were observed respecting to insufficient radiation protection tools and holding of Thermoluminescence Dosimeters. Funding: This research is supported by IBHATH program research grant from Qatar Charity to the Palestinian Researchers. Declaration of Interest: All authors declare that I have no significant competing financial, professional, or personal interests that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript. Ethics Approval Statement: An official letter of approval from the Helsinki committee in Gaza was obtained. Additionally, the official MOH directorates were formally contacted to obtain their approvals to conduct the study at MOH hospitals. Full explanatory form about research was attached to each questionnaire (the title of the study, purpose and other related information). The right to participate or not, confidentiality, anonymity of collected data were completely maintained and respected (Participants were signed informed consents as required).