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This paper is structured as follows. Firstly, it reviews the global trends in medical imaging deployment. Secondly, it discusses key issues related to the implementation of the technology in the context of developing countries. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of key challenges and lessons learned for developing countries based on the analysis of current trends in deploying the technology.

Global Trends in Medical Imaging Implementation

It is suggested that the demand for radiology services will continue to rise. Studies have attributed the ever-increasing demand for radiology services to factors such as the global increase in illnesses, the increase in world population (including aging citizens), the rise in urbanization and worldwide healthcare programs and reforms. With regard to illnesses, the increased number of patients with respiratory problems, cancer, cardiovascular and other form of lifestyle diseases for example has been frequently mentioned to contribute to the increased demand for radiology services. In order to cater for this growing demand it is becoming increasingly common for healthcare organizations, especially in developed countries, to outsource some types of radiology services to foreign countries. Also, recent studies have reported that there has been an increase of radiology resource utilization particularly the use of advanced imaging services. An increase in medical imaging implementation across hospitals worldwide has also been noted in the literature. The following presents the review of the deployment trend related to each of technological components of medical imaging.

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