Open AccessTHE NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF C.A.T. SCANNERS IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY AND VICTORIA
Author(s) -
Taylor Richard,
Goldstein Greg
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
community health studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 0314-9021
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1981.tb00724.x
Subject(s) - metropolitan area , population , distribution (mathematics) , government (linguistics) , radiological weapon , geography , capital (architecture) , medicine , medical emergency , socioeconomics , business , environmental health , archaeology , sociology , radiology , mathematical analysis , linguistics , philosophy , mathematics
The most important use of computerised axial tomography (CAT) scanners is in the management of acute head trauma, but inadequately planned diffusion and maldistribution of scanning units and associated medical services limits patient access. Of 19 scanners in New South Wales & Victoria, 9 are publicly owned and located in public hospitals, while 10 are in private hospitals, or in private radiological practices. There is evidence of a “two‐airline policy” with public and private scanners located close together. Only scanners in public hospitals are used for acute head trauma, with a few exceptions. There is gross maldistribution: in Sydney there are 3.2 scanners per million population compared to New South Wales non‐metropolitan areas with only 0.1 scanners per million population. In Melbourne there are 2.3 scanners per million population, compared to only 0.9 per million in Victorian non‐metropolitan areas. Establishment of scanners and supporting services in some non‐metropolitan areas is justifiable, even if projected facility/population ratios exceed norms. The distribution of CAT scanners in Australia can be related to the lobbying power of major hospitals, and the distribution of well‐capitalized private radiological practices, rather than to any assessment of needs or rational planning. Government departments have an important role in the regulation of technology diffusion.