%0 Journal Article
%T Response of patients to the introduction of a private Magnetic Resonance Imaging service in Western Jamaica
%A Lennox Anderson-Jackson
%A Donovan A. McGrowder
%A Paul A. Bourne
%A Tazhmoye Crawford
%J North American Journal of Medical Sciences
%D 2009
%I North American Journal of Medical Sciences
%X Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of today¡¯s fastest growing imaging modalities, spurred in part by rapid advances in technology and important new applications in patient care. It was introduced in Western Jamaica in March 2005 at a non-hospital-based facility called North Coast Imaging MRI Service. Aims: The study examined the socio-demographics, accessibility and affordability of the services to patients. Materials and Method: A random sample of 100 patients was used and the research instrument was a questionnaire. The study was conducted between August and November 2008. Results: The findings of the study showed that majority of the respondents lived in rural areas and were within the age group 30 - 59 years. One-half of the respondents resided in St. James, were employed; earned more than US$1,351.00 per month and could afford the cost of the MRI procedure. More than one half of the respondents indicated that it took 15 ¨C 30 minutes to be examined after arrival at the Centre; most (81%) of the respondents indicated that the MRI procedure was adequately explained, and 99% indicated that questions about the procedure were satisfactorily answered. The MRI Scans performed at the North Coast Imaging MRI Service showed an increase of 157.49% in 2006 when compared with 2005, and 70.90% in 2007 when compared with 2006. Our findings suggest that the number of MRI scans done at the North Coast Imaging MRI Service is likely to increase. Conclusion: Although most of the respondents were able to afford the procedure there are concerns about persons in the lower socio-economic group who are unable to afford expensive diagnostic imaging tests such as MRI scans. There is an urgent need for government-owned hospital-based MRI Units in Jamaica to offer lower cost MRI scans to the public.
%K Magnetic resonance imaging
%K rural
%K scans
%K Jamaica
%K respondents
%K North Coast.
%U http://www.najms.org/resources/PDF+279-284+Response+of+patients+to+the+introduction+of+a+private+Magnetic+Resonance+Imaging+service+in+Western+Jamaica.pdf