Digitalisation of Historical Medical Images and Reports
The radiological landscape in Zambian public health facilities is undergoing a deliberate and inevitable process of transitioning from analog to digital imaging. However, there are challenges associated with management of the digital medical image data and reports as they are currently stored on various less efficient platforms such as CDs, Hard Drives and PCs. Further, there are no clear guidelines regulating the management of digital medical imaging data currently in use.
Our project is aimed at digitizing and digitalizing the historical medical images and reports for improved access and retrieval. The process will involve collection of the historical digital medical images and reports currently stored on CDs, Hard Drives and PCs and subsequently systematically organising them so as to enhance their access and management. Additionally, we will engage major stakeholders in medical imaging—including Radiologists, Radiographers, Physicians and Patients— to review the currently existing national policy on all aspects of medical images and reports. The outcome of the review will enable us to draft proposed guidelines on the management of digital medical imaging data in the areas of acquisition, storage, access, transfer, sharing, retention period, and disposal of the historical medical imaging data.
The project is expected to deliver systematically organized and searchable historical medical imaging records and guidelines on the management of digital medical imaging data in Zambian public health facilities.
