Promoting wellbeing through improved education

In addition to low-cost imaging and affordable, accessible technology, the ITW model of sustainability is built on education. We work with other organizations to address different levels of learning—from sonographers at district hospitals to nurse midwives at rural health centers. In this way, the local health care system is enabled to “own” the model of improved imaging access. We are also collaborating with like-minded organizations to offer accelerated and on-line teaching modules that promote continuing education and lifelong learning skills.

In Uganda, for example, we are partnering with the Ernest Cook Ultra Sound Research and Education Institute (ECUREI)—an ultrasound training center in Kampala—to train sonographers who can then supervise ultrasound programs and improve overall patient care as the program is rolled out across the country. We also work with local entities to ensure that machine maintenance and repair is readily available, both to create new jobs and to ensure ITW’s sustainability.

Imaging the World also supports education domestically by providing opportunities for students and professors to engage in educational projects, fieldwork, research projects and scholarships.

Initial Studies

ITW completed testing of the hardware/software, volume ultrasound scan protocols and training methods in two pilot studies conducted in rural Vermont and in Belize. Initial results reported at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the Radiological Society of North America meetings in 2008 showed that the ITW protocols produce high quality images that can be compressed and sent without loss of diagnostic quality. Both of these pilot projects proved the ITW model works well in a low-resource country.

Uganda Research

Beginning in 2010, ITW collaborated with the Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute (ECUREI) at Mengo Hospital in Kampala, Uganda and Dr. Alphonsus Matovu, General Surgeon, at Kamuli Mission Hospital (KMH) to investigate the efficacy of ITW’s novel ultrasound solution for rural populations in Uganda. The goal of this research collaboration is to demonstrate that ITW’s imaging solution will bring a higher standard of care to rural areas of Uganda.

ITW has two research projects underway in Uganda, and plans to launch two more in 2012.

University of Vermont Research

ITW is conducting multiple projects at the University of Vermont to test additional protocols addressing long bone trauma, chest and abdominal trauma (eFast) and breast cancer diagnosis.