JOANNA TALOTTA B. SC, MRT (R)
Unit 5: Chronic Disease Prevention and Management
This week, we focus on identifying common chronic disease in diagnostic imaging, comparing rates of disease in Ontario, and explaining determinants of these diseases
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For more information on the provincial comparisons of funding and management,
head over to my blog:
Importance of Radiology
(Website)
This website explains the importance and role Radiology has in health care. There is a wide variety of imaging modalities available such as conventional x-ray, MRI, Ultrasound, CT, nuclear medicine, Bone mineral densitometry, and PET scan.
Data Blog: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Canada
(Data Blog/Website)
This website explains what COPD is and statistical facts associated with the chronic disease. This report reviews the rates and contributing factors to contracting the disease, as well as compares incidence of the disease between sexes and geographical differences.
Ontario Backgrounder: Supporting COPD patients at home saves hospital resources and healthcare dollars
(Article)
This article breaks down the COPD rates across Canada and Western Canada. Additionally it reviews the costs to the healthcare system when providing care to those living with COPD.
Redefining the diagnostic criteria for COPD
(Article)
This article reviews new concepts in diagnosing COPD. In the past, patients were often left undiagnosed due to being asymptomatic and not meeting a set of criteria developed by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease (GOLD). Despite having “healthy” lung function, airway inflammation and lung disease can be demonstrated on Computed Tomography (CT) imaging
A spatial analysis of COPD prevalence, incidence, mortality and health service use in Ontario
(Peer Reviewed Article)
This peer review article outlines the prevalence and rates of COPD in Ontario and breaks it down by geographic level, age, and sex. The data is further broken down into how often those with COPD are hospitalized due to the disease, how often they are visiting Emergency departments, and where it is happening most often in the province.
The Role of Imaging in Osteoarthritis
(Peer Reviewed Article)
This Peer Review article defines osteoarthritis, and explains the importance of imaging modalities to diagnose the disease. It outlines the importance of the combination of utilizing conventional x-rays and MRI to best assess the severity of the disease and the surrounding tissues. It also explores the benefits and limitations of utilizing one modality over the other for prognosis.
Cancer incidence rates and trends
(Article)
This article outlines the incidence and rates of cancer in Ontario, while looking at statistical changes related to population growth and aging, and the probability of developing cancer. The data is further broken down into proportion of new cases by age, sex and cancer type.
Primary Health Care Charter - Ministry of Health: A Collaborative Approach
(Article)
This article outlines the Primary Health Care Charter in British Columbia. It reviews the key point in how the province works toward chronic disease prevention due to the impact these diseases have on the health care system. The Aim of The Charter: “A Strong, Effective, Accessible, and Sustainable Primary Health Care System”
Preventing and Managing Chronic Disease: Ontario's Framework
(Article)
This document provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care outlines the importance of chronic disease and the impact it has on a society. It goes on to explain the requirements of a community of enforcing societal and behavioral changes to reduce rates of chronic disease. This Framework was designed with prevention and management in mind for the province of Ontario.