Effect of Continuous Medical Education on Awareness of Clinical Imaging Guidelines Among Imaging Referrers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Rationale and objectives: In recent decades, there has been an effort to improve the quality and safety of medical imaging globally. Such, has been promoted through the application of decision aid tools. Clinical Imaging Guidelines (CIGs) are systematically developed statements to assist referrers to make appropriate patient imaging decisions for screening, diagnosis and management of conditions. Awareness of such guidelines prompts their application thus enhancing safety of imaging procedures. There is evidence of low levels of awareness elsewhere but such hasn’t been assessed in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study assessed the CIGs awareness level among imaging referrers before and after giving continuous medical education (CME) and awareness materials. Methods: A pre and post -CME mean score of 18 item questionnaire on awareness on CIGs for 109 referrers from 5 health facilities were compared. A statistical difference in the mean scores for the pre and post intervention assessment was determined using a paired T-test at P > 0.05 and Confidence interval of 95%. Results - At baseline, we found a 47% level of CIGs awareness and after the intervention we found a level of 59%. There was a significant statistical change of 12% level of CIGs awareness from pre-intervention 47% to post intervention 59% at P-value < 0.0001 and 95% confidence interval (7.8-16.4). Conclusion and Recommendation: Routine CMEs are a good to start platforms for enhancing awareness of CIGs and strengthening justification of medical exposures.