Radiologist workforce challenges and the burden of image interpretation in Ghana: Perspectives of frontline doctors and implications for healthcare delivery.

Interpreting radiological images, a primary responsibility of radiologists, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and informed clinical decisions. However, many low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) face severe radiologist shortages, leading to diagnostic delays, uncertainty, and potential compromises in patient care. This study explored the perspectives of frontline medical doctors on the challenges posed by radiologist shortages in Ghana concerning image interpretation and its impact on healthcare delivery and patient care. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with eight medical doctors working across public and private healthcare facilities at different levels of the Ghanaian health system. Data were thematically analysed with NVivo 14, following Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis framework. Three key themes emerged: the vital role of radiological imaging in clinical practice, difficulties in accessing radiological reports, and suggested strategies to address the challenges posed by radiologist shortages. Subthemes identified include barriers such as delayed access to radiologist reports, underlying causes for report unavailability, insufficient training in image interpretation, and clinician burnout. Participants proposed expanding radiology training, strengthening radiology education in undergraduate medical curricula, involving trained radiographers in preliminary image evaluation, and integrating teleradiology and artificial intelligence technologies as potential solutions to these challenges. Radiologist shortages in Ghana significantly affect the availability and quality of image interpretation services, which impacts diagnostic accuracy and patient care. Addressing this gap requires a multifaceted approach involving radiologist workforce development and enhancing the image interpretation skills of front-line medical practitioners. Efforts should include enhancing radiology training in undergraduate medical education and expanding access to remote reporting technologies particularly in underserved areas.