The session titled "Teleservices: Facilitating Care from Afar" at the European Congress of Radiology explored the advancements in remote imaging quality assurance and tele-radiology as critical solutions to contemporary global healthcare challenges. Experts presented their findings on innovative methodologies aimed at enhancing diagnostic accessibility and image quality while tackling the constraints imposed by limited resources, particularly in under-resourced environments. The discussions emphasised the deployment of technology to bridge gaps in care delivery and optimise radiological services across diverse settings.
International Atomic Energy Agency: Remote Imaging Quality Assurance
Mika Kortesniemi presented the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) approach to remote imaging quality assurance (QA), emphasising automation to support regions with limited resources. He highlighted the high costs of imaging equipment, the impact of image quality on patient safety, and the necessity for consistent QA to meet legal obligations.
Key challenges include lack of QA testing equipment, shortage of trained medical physicists, and the inability of low-frequency testing to detect deviations early. To address this, the IAEA developed cost-effective, simple test objects and an automated remote QA system that ensures continuous monitoring. Kortesniemi noted: "Instead of having a very elaborate commercial QA phantom to get results, we use very inexpensive, very simple phantom, but very complicated mathematical analysis of those images."
His team at Helsinki University Hospital enhanced the system, particularly for CT scanners, which contribute significantly to global radiation exposure. Their automated analysis software detects performance deviations early, even before clinical symptoms arise. He stressed the importance of AI-driven quality assessment, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulations like the European AI Act.
Looking ahead, further AI integration and expansion to other imaging modalities are planned. He concluded: "Our future is more and more data-driven... we are going to develop these things further, bring them to the agency, to provide further for free."
Teleservices in Global Health Partnerships: Make It Safe, Make It Work
Dr. Elizabeth Joekes (UK) and Prof. Atinuke Agunloye (Nigeria) discussed the role of tele-radiology in addressing the shortage of radiologists in West Africa, particularly in The Gambia. Agunloye shared her experience of setting up a radiology training programme in The Gambia, leveraging tele-services to provide specialist support from Nigeria. She highlighted the critical role of tele-radiology in improving access to diagnostics, training new radiologists, and overcoming geographical barriers.
Challenges discussed included lack of electronic medical records, financial constraints, power supply issues, and inadequate internet connectivity. "About 98% of our patients pay out of pocket," Agunloye noted, emphasising the difficulty many face in affording essential imaging. Equipment maintenance and workforce shortages further hinder the expansion of radiology services.
Dr. Joekes and Prof. Agunloye stressed the need for sustainable solutions, including training local engineers, establishing maintenance agreements for donated equipment, and strengthening partnerships. Agunloye suggested that tele-radiology, when tailored to local needs, is a powerful tool to bridge healthcare gaps: "Training, learning, and skill acquisition is very possible with teleradiology."
The speakers emphasised the pivotal impact of teleservices in addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in areas such as AI-enabled quality assurance and tele-radiology training programmes. Despite ongoing challenges, the adoption of sustainable solutions—including process automation, remote patient monitoring, and customised training initiatives—presents a conducive framework for enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of radiology services on a global scale.
Source & Image Credit: ECR 2025
