Medical physics mentoring through a RAD-AID International partnership with Intermed Hospital in Mongolia: Development and initial visit

Motivation: Despite wide application in high-income countries, MRI is largely underutilized in low- and middle-income countries3 (LMIC’s). One reason is a lack of expertise in MRI physics in LMIC’s. RAD-AID International is an organization engaged in radiological outreach and is active in over twenty countries. Goal(s): In this abstract, a roadmap for an MRI physics mentorship partnership is presented and illustrated at a private hospital in Northeast Asia. Approach: A physicist volunteering for RAD-AID International visited Intermed Hospital in Mongolia. Results: He taught the basics of MRI physics, optimized their imaging protocols, and established a quality assurance program. Collaboration will be ongoing. Impact: MRI is underutilized in low-resource settings. One impediment to its utilization is lack of physics expertise. In this work, a roadmap is presented whereby a philanthropic organization partners with an Asian hospital to better incorporate physics concepts into clinic practice.