January 2012.

The Trust is pleased to announce the joint collaboration with RAD-AID International (www.rad-aid.org) to lead a research study on an alternative delivery method for providing radiology-related educational resources to developing countries. Lead researchers, Jonathan Mazal, MS, RT(R) (US Trustee) and Rebecca Ludwig, PhD (Program Director at UAMS) are providing mobile electronic devices (MEDs) loaded with a small library of digital educational resources to x-ray departments in resource poor communities of the world. The goal is to measure the cost effectiveness in using MEDs over that of traditional hard copy materials sent via post, as well as to analyse the effectiveness of the MEDs as a clinical resource.  Through a partnership with RAD-AID, results of their comprehensive Radiology Readiness assessment tool will help in deciding which sites are suitable for inclusion in the research project, as well as utilize several of the global clinical sites in which RAD-AID is currently running other outreach projects.

RAD-AID International is a non-profit organisation founded by a team of radiologists trained at Johns Hopkins and is a network for improving the provision of radiology and health care services in the developing world through a sustained longitudinal legacy of dialog, education, resources, and collaboration.

Details related to the selected MED recipient clinical sites to follow soon!

 

Here is what Jonathan has to say about the project: “As a Trustee for the WRETF, I have learned of the challenges related to shipping boxes of textbooks around the world. I feel the MED project will help identify an alternative method of educational delivery that will compliment the current methods used, and would like to commend the other Trustees for their willingness to harness the benefits of new technology to honour their organisational mission!”