Mammographers and equitable breast imaging in South Africa

Authors

  • Amanda Louw Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Faculty of Health University of Johannesburg

Keywords:

scope, legislation, education, ethics, inequity

Abstract

Breast imaging services in South Africa are currently facing a crossroads. Policies meant to protect patients against inadequate services are instrumental in denying patients their right to access to adequate services. The largest percentage of the population is dependent on public healthcare, but they do not have the same access to breast imaging services as those who can afford private healthcare. One reason for this is the public sector’s stark shortage of radiologists combined with a limited professional scope for mammographers.

This opinion article claims that mammographers ought to be trained to perform some of the functions of radiologists. Skills transfer pertaining to breast ultrasound and image interpretation should decrease the workload of radiologists, spread the availability of traditional radiologic expertise, and provide for the breast care needs of the whole population in a more equitable manner, as is strived for in the National Health Act, No 61 of 2003.

Author Biography

Amanda Louw, Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Faculty of Health University of Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg, Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Educator

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Published

2018-05-24

Issue

Vol. 56 No. 1 (2018)

Section

Opinion article

License

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