Radialogical diagnostics organization problems in the prevention of oncological diseases

Cancer is a leading cause of death, highlighting the need for effective medical care models. Outpatient cancer care centers (OCCCs) have diagnostic imaging equipment, though its accessibility for patients varies. Objective. To evaluate the accessibility of diagnostic imaging for patients with cancer. Results. The timing of patient referrals to an OCCC does not depend on the availability of diagnostic imaging equipment. Computed tomography (CT) was performed at OCCC-1 in 85.6% of patients (waiting time 6.4 days), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 50.0% (waiting time 7.3 days), and Doppler ultrasonography in 25.6% (waiting time 11.2 days). Patients from OCCC-2 were referred for diagnostic imaging to other medical organizations, and the waiting time was longer than in OCCC-1: CT 65.7% (waiting time 12.8 days), MRI 43.2% (waiting time 13.7 days), and Doppler ultrasonography 14.4% (waiting time 14.2 days). The unavailability of diagnostic imaging equipment in OCCCs compromises prompt medical care, which may affect treatment effectiveness. Waiting for imaging studies in OCCCs delays specialized medical care (direct correlation: ρ=0.56; p<0.01). The waiting time for hospitalization at OCCC-1 was 20.6±3.7 days, and at OCCC-2, 31.6±3.4 days. Conclusion. Given the uneven availability of diagnostic imaging equipment at outpatient cancer care centers, it is necessary to improve patient routing to ensure greater access to imaging.