Abstract
BackgroundRadiology subspecialisation is well-established in much of Europe, North America, and Australasia. It is a natural evolution of the radiology speciality catalysed by multiple factors.ObjectivesThe aim of this article is to analyse and provide an overview of the current status of radiology subspecialisation in African countries.MethodsWe reviewed English-language articles, reports, and other documents on radiology specialisation and subspecialisation in Africa.ResultsThere are 54 sovereign countries in Africa (discounting disputed territories). Eighteen African countries with well-established radiology residency training were assessed for the availability of formal subspecialisation training locally. Eight (Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Tunisia) out of the 18 countries have local subspecialist training programmes. Data and/or information on subspecialisation were unavailable for three (Algeria, Libya, and Senegal) of the 18 countries. Paediatric Radiology (Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia) and Interventional Radiology (Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania) were the most frequently available subspecialist training programmes. Except Tanzania, all the countries with subspecialisation training programmes have ≥ 100 radiologists in their workforce.ConclusionThere is limited availability of subspecialist radiology training programmes in African countries. Alternative models of subspecialist radiology training are suggested to address this deficit.
Highlights
Clinical and non-clinical knowledge, procedural expertise, computer literacy/proficiency in information technology, knowledge of diagnostics, and non-interpretive skills are an integral part of postgraduate training in radiology:[1,2,3]A Radiologist is a specialist medical doctor who has had postgraduate training in performing and interpreting diagnostic imaging tests, and carrying out interventional procedures or treatments, using X-ray, ultrasound, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment.[4,5]A medical speciality is a branch/subdivision/subset of medicine that focuses on or is devoted to a specific or defined category of patients, illnesses or disorders, expertise or skills, or philosophy or theory.[6]
The keywords comprised the name of the countries together with the words radiology, specialisation, and subspecialisation in various combinations
A few North African radiologists were contacted by email to provide information about their countries, but we received a response from only one of them
Summary
Clinical and non-clinical knowledge, procedural expertise, computer literacy/proficiency in information technology, knowledge of diagnostics, and non-interpretive skills are an integral part of postgraduate training in radiology:[1,2,3]A Radiologist is a specialist medical doctor who has had postgraduate training in performing and interpreting diagnostic imaging tests, and carrying out interventional procedures or treatments, using X-ray, ultrasound, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment.[4,5]A medical speciality is a branch/subdivision/subset of medicine that focuses on or is devoted to a specific or defined category of patients, illnesses or disorders, expertise or skills, or philosophy or theory.[6]. Clinical and non-clinical knowledge, procedural expertise, computer literacy/proficiency in information technology, knowledge of diagnostics, and non-interpretive skills are an integral part of postgraduate training in radiology:[1,2,3]. A Radiologist is a specialist medical doctor who has had postgraduate training in performing and interpreting diagnostic imaging tests, and carrying out interventional procedures or treatments, using X-ray, ultrasound, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment.[4,5]. A physician who has specialised in a medical speciality is a specialist. A generalist’s competencies, proficiency, interests, and skills/expertise are diverse, eclectic, comprehensive, and unspecialised. Radiology subspecialisation is well-established in much of Europe, North America, and Australasia. It is a natural evolution of the radiology speciality catalysed by multiple factors
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