All articles by julian turner
julian turner
Patient education in Europe – EWMA and diabetic care
European Wound Management Association (EWMA) council members Dr Sebastian Probst, professor of tissue viability and wound care at the School of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland; and Dr Andrea Pokorná, associate professor of nursing and a specialised international coordinator for the Department of Nursing, Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, discuss patient education for diabetic care within Europe.
From outer space to life science – compact gamma cameras
Gamma cameras are traditionally large devices that are situated in nuclear medicine departments, but technology from the world of astrophysics has enabled the production of compact gamma cameras that allow nuclear imaging at the patient bedside and in the operating theatre. Professor John Lees, of the Bioimaging Unit at the University of Leicester, tells Medical Imaging Technology more about it.
Bone of contention – does ultrasound help to heal fractures?
Ultrasound is performed to help speed the healing of bone fractures, but a randomised trial reports the procedure is actually ineffective and we may have been engaging in junk science for decades. Dr Jason Busse, an associate professor of anaesthesiology at McMaster University, who led the study, explains to Andrew Putwain how the imaging community should go forward.
Model children – 3D foetal imaging using Occulus Rift
Virtual reality could soon let us see inside a growing foetus. Using Oculus Rift headsets, a Brazilian team has developed new technology to create a 3D model from ultrasound and MRI, helping to spot birth defects to then communicate to parents. Lead researcher Dr Heron Werner from the Clínica de Diagnóstico por Imagem in Rio de Janeiro explains its benefit to Eleanor Wilson.
Screening: put to new use
The medical imaging community is debating the ethics of breast-cancer screening programmes worldwide after studies have shown that results from mammograms may be misinterpreted. Some countries say they are giving results that unnecessarily prompt invasive treatment, rather than as a tool to see if the patient needs monitoring further. We speak to Dr Karsten Juhl Jørgensen from the Nordic Cochrane Centre, who co-authored a study that showed why we should change the way we use mammograms.
Less is more – revolutionary new X-ray detection
A revolutionary new X-ray detector could significantly reduce the radiation dose given to patients. Elly Earls meets the man behind the research, Professor Jinsong Huang, to find out how.
In sync: phase-contrast imaging
A team of engineers at University College London have developed an X-ray method using phase-contrast imaging technology set to improve cancer detection and reduce reoperation rates. Team leader Professor Alessandro Olivo speaks to Bradford Keen about bringing the X-ray capabilities of a synchrotron to clinical settings and the challenges that lie in his path.
Heart of the matter – PET/CT scanning
For more than a decade, emergency-room patients have been informed as to their cardiac health by a standard stress test of their arterial blood flow. However, new research at the Intermountain Heart Institute, Salt Lake City, indicates that this may only be providing a snapshot of the patient’s cardiac health and, in fact, could provide little long-term prognosis on the likelihood of a heart attack. Greg Noone talks to Viet Le, whose work conducting coronary calcium tests using the facility’s PET/CT scanner is revealing more about the long-term odds of cardiac events.
Can’t get the staff – medical recruitment in GCC nations
Despite their wealth and growing populations – fuelled in part by the inward migration of affluent expatriates – the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council lag behind some of their poorer neighbours when it comes to a supply of locally trained medical staff. As healthcare systems expand to meet demand, how will hospitals meet recruitment requirements, and can local talent play a bigger part? Sarah Williams speaks to Choucrallah Karam, managing partner and lead for healthcare and life sciences at Improstrat, to find out more.
Best foot forward – preventing diabetes-related limb loss
Only a few years ago, one in five diabetics in the UAE would eventually lose a limb. But now, healthcare in the area is getting serious about the problem – particularly in terms of foot ulcers. Andrew Putwain explores how the region is getting better at preventing limb loss, and speaks to diabetologist Dr Almoutaz Alkhier Ahmed about how those numbers are being cut.