ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTIONS FOR DEVELOPING REGIONAL DISTANT X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (BASED ON DATA OF THE NOVOSIBIRSK REGION)
Background. For Russia, with its vast spaces, telemedicine is a socially significant project, providing every citizen with the opportunity to obtain quality counseling by best specialists. The purpose of the study: scientific rationale for developing the system of distant X-ray diagnostics at the regional level. Methods: expert and statistical methods. Organization of X-ray diagnostic system was peer-reviewed by leading specialists in diagnostic radiology of the Novosibirsk region in terms of developing the regional system of distant X-ray diagnostics. Results. Medical organizations are insufficiently equipped with digital X-ray equipment, qualification of radiology specialists is low, especially at municipal health care facilities. Main problems that hinder development of the distant X-ray diagnostics are not of financial, but rather of organizational nature. Key problems include the following: lack of the X-ray diagnostics development strategy at the regional level and discrepancy between class of the equipment and level and type of the health care facility. Organizational directions for developing a regional distant X-ray diagnostic system include: to optimize equipment for digital X-ray diagnostics according to the level and type of health care facilities; to improve skills of care providers, particularly at municipal (district) health care facilities; to enhance utilization of the existing equipment for X-ray diagnostics, equipment of expert class mainly; to optimize network of the digital equipment for X-ray diagnostics at health care facilities; and to set up regional counseling and diagnostic centers. Conclusions: Provision of health care facilities with digital X-ray equipment is insufficient, and qualification of the X-ray specialists is low. The main problems that hinder development of distant X-ray diagnostics at the regional level are of organizational nature mainly including: lack of the X-ray diagnostics development strategy at the regional level and discrepancy between class of the equipment and level and type of the health care facility.