Geographical and Temporal Distribution of Radiologists, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Scanners in Croatia

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Zrinka Biloglav
• Author: Petar Medaković
• Author: Dina Vrkić https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1872-4229
• Author: Boris Brkljačić
• Author: Ivan Padjen
• Author: Josip Ćurić
• Author: Franko Žuvela
• Author: Gordana Ivanac
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Internal Medicine)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Medical Statistics, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Radiology)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; Central medical library
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care; Epidemiology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Radiology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Information and Communication Sciences; Library Science
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Internal Medicine

Abstract (english)

The aim of the study was to analyse the temporal and geographic distribution of radiologists, computed tomography and magnetic resonance scanners in Croatia. In this observational study we estimated radiologists’ number per 100,000 population for 1997, 2006, and 2017 and compared private and public CT and MR scanners between 2011 and 2018. We analyzed the availability of radiologists and scanners, and the relationship between the radiological workforce and economic strength among counties. The workforce increased significantly from 1997 to 2017 and was associated with economic strength categories in 2017. In 2018, there were more CT scanners in the public sector, while MR scanners were distributed evenly. In 2011, there was similar distribution of CT and MR between sectors, while in 2018 there were significantly more public CT scanners. Counties with a medical school had significantly more radiologists and MR scanners. The high-to-low ratios per CT and MR were 11 and 8.2, suggesting inequality of health care. Croatia significantly increased its radiological workforce; however, cross-county inequality remained. Counties with higher economic strength and medical schools have better availability of radiologists and equipment. To ensure the sustainable activity of the health care system, a precise estimate of supply and demand of radiology services is needed.

• Keywords (english): Croatia; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Radiologists*; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Related information
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing
• Numbering: vol. 58, 469580211060295
• p-ISSN: 0046-9580
• e-ISSN: 1945-7243
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580211060295
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:920200
• Publication: 2021
• Document URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00469580211060295
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2022-03-09 09:56:18