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We are thrilled to announce the successful presentation of our groundbreaking paper, "User-Centered Design and Implementation of Useful Picture Archiving and Communication Systems for Effective Radiological Workflows in Public Health Facilities in Zambia," at the prestigious 4th African Human-Computer Interaction Conference (AfriCHI) held in East London, South Africa, from November 27 to December 1, 2023.
About AfriCHI 2023:
AfriCHI 2023, themed "Beyond Limit," provided an exceptional platform for researchers, designers, and experts in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to delve into the potentialities and limitations of interactive technologies. This year's conference aimed to explore how HCI can address the myriad challenges facing our world, from healthcare to social justice, under the overarching theme of pushing beyond limits.
Our Contribution:
Our team, led by Dr Lighton Phiri from the University of Zambia, presented a revolutionary prototype Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) platform designed to transform radiological workflows in public health facilities in Zambia. The absence of PACS has been identified as a critical challenge in international radiology development, particularly in resource-constrained countries like Zambia. Our paper not only highlighted the challenges but also showcased a potential solution.
The Impactful Journey:
Embarking on a transformative journey, our paper highlighted the crucial need for automating radiological workflows in Zambia's public health facilities through PACS systems. Despite the potential for an increased workload, we illuminated the substantial long-term benefits in terms of time efficiency and improved image storage, access, management, and transfer.
Unveiling the challenges embedded in Zambia's current radiological workflows, we exposed the reliance on manual processes. From archiving historical medical images on optical discs and external hard drives to grappling with a shortage of radiologists and minimal technology adoption, our paper outlined the complex issues detrimentally impacting clinical care in the region.
In response to these challenges, our dedicated team introduced a groundbreaking solution – a user-centered PACS platform. Through meticulous design, seamless implementation, and rigorous evaluation, our prototype not only demonstrated feasibility but also showcased the potential for cost-effective PACS platforms uniquely tailored to address the specific needs of public health facilities in Zambia. This innovative approach holds the promise of revolutionizing radiological services, ultimately enhancing healthcare delivery in resource-constrained environments.
Presentation video:
Presentation slides:
User Centred Design and Implementation of Useful Picture Archiving and Communication Systems for Effective Radiological Workflows in Public Health Facilities in Zambia from Lighton Phiri