Density and regional distribution of radiologists in a low‑income country: the Ghana situation
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Chinese Journal of Academic Radiology
Abstract
Background This study assessed the density and distribution of radiologists across all 16 regions in Ghana to generate ref erence information for planning and policy formulation to encourage radiology specialization and in designing systems to
improve the dissemination of radiological services across all the regions in Ghana.
Method A cross-sectional design was used to collect secondary data on all radiologists (n=93) registered with the Medical
and Dental Council of Ghana (MDCG) as of December 2022. This information collected on the records of the MDCG was
confrmed with records from the Ghana Association of Radiologists. Population and land area data were also collected from
the National Statistical Service of Ghana for each region in the country. The Stata statistical software version 15 was used
to analyze the data collected.
Results There were 93 radiologists in the country. The majority were male (n=60, 65%) and about one-third of the radiolo gists were female. The national density of radiologists was 1.9 radiologists per 5000 km2
. Only 3 of the 16 regions in the
country had a better distribution of radiologists per 5000 km2
. There were three radiologists per million people in Ghana
with a skewed regional distribution. Seven out of the 16 regions lacked radiologists. The proportion of female radiologists
stationed within the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions was 87.9% (29/33). The Bono, Eastern, Northern, and Western
regions had one female radiologist each.
Conclusions Actions are needed to improve the shortage and skewed distribution of radiologists. The outcome will help to
improve radiological services across all the regions in Ghana.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Radiologists ·, Ghana, Radiology human resources, Low-income country, Imaging