Table 2.
Core Conditions Utilizing X-Ray in Resource-Poor Settings
| Type | Condition | Intervention | Skill Level | Necessity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | Pneumonia | Medical management | Basic | High |
| Tuberculosis | Medical management | Basic | High | |
| Pneumothorax | Chest tube placement | Advanced | High | |
| Pleural effusion | Thoracentesis | Advanced | High | |
| Cardiac failure | Medical management | Advanced | Moderate | |
| Hemothorax | Thoracentesis | Advanced | High | |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Medical management | Basic | Moderate | |
| Asthma | Medical management | Basic | Moderate | |
| Lung abscess | Medical management | Advanced | High | |
| Occupational lung diseases | Medical management | Basic | Moderate | |
| Limb | Long bone fracture | Reduction and fixation | Advanced | High |
| Small bone fracture | Reduction and fixation | Advanced | High | |
| Osteomyelitis | Medical and surgical management | Basic | Moderate | |
| Dietary deficiency diseases (scurvy, rickets) | Nutrient supplementation | Basic | Moderate |
*Skill level refers to the skills required both for diagnosis and for subsequent intervention of the generalist practitioner who might perform radiography. We indicate the skill level as such because we assume in the resource-poor context that the generalist practitioner would be required to interpret the film and perform the indicated intervention. Necessity refers to the need for the imaging modality in diagnosis and management of the condition listed.