Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 10, 2014:  The Dubai Health Authority in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO), International Society of Radiology (ISR) and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences co-organized a training program on justification of diagnostic imaging and use of referral guidelines.

The aim of the program was to educate healthcare practitioners about the dangers of ionizing radiation exposure and the usage of referral guidelines to prevent this.

Dr Jamila Al Suwaidi, medical physicist, chair of radiation committee at the DHA and director of the patient radiation safety project, said: "Through the rapid development of diagnostic radiology, imaging-guided interventions, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy (i.e. teletherapy and brachytherapy), ionizing radiation is today one of the most important diagnostic tools and a key component of cancer treatment. However, the numerous benefits of radiation applications in medicine are challenged by the possible risks of ionizing radiation exposure.  Therefore, in order to promote appropriate use of radiation in medical imaging, international and professional organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society of Radiology (ISR) work jointly to develop an educational program through which the implementation of the radiation protection principles in the clinical practice is further elaborated. Hence, the WHO and ISR designed a training course to support countries that are starting to introduce referral guidelines within their radiological imaging practices."

Al Suwaidi, added: " The course we c-organised has provided an opportunity to train both referrers and future trainers on the use of medical imaging referral guidelines. It has helped enable local trainers to subsequently deliver the same training themselves, by using the WHO-ISR curriculum. This is consistent with a "Locally-Championed and Globally-Supported" model towards a sustainable infrastructure for implementing training activities in various local environments."

" We are in the process of implementing these guidelines and thus the course is aimed to promote awareness about the use and importance of these guidelines. These guidelines are very important for safe practice in the field.  In fact, the two principles of radiation protection in medicine internationally adopted are: justification of radiological procedures and the optimization of practice. Thus,   implementation of medical imaging referral guidelines is considered as a tool to facilitate appropriate use of procedures, support good medical practice and strengthen radiation safety in daily practice, regardless of the setting."

She added that the course provided an overview on trends in procedure utilization, radiation exposure and risks.  It addressed what referrers should know about radiation protection in medical imaging and will review the concept of implementing imaging referral guidelines (IRGs) when requesting radiological examinations within their practice.  Furthermore, the course tackled the subject on how referrers could improve justification and optimization principles of radiation safety.  The audience gained  insight into the practices of radiology.  Issues and solutions to introduce and use referral guidelines in practice in the UAE was discussed and mechanisms for building global, regional and local partnerships to improve justification was also presented during the one-day course.

She said the  course was addressed to referral physicians and residents.  Radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, radiographers and medical physicist attended the course so that they can become trainers for future local courses on the same subject.

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About the Dubai Health Authority:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor is the Director-General of the DHA.

The DHA's aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA's mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

© Press Release 2014