ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA: A SURVEY OF WORKFORCE MODELS AND LABORATORY PRACTICE
Authors & Affiliations
Ikhmat K. Malik, Oluwaseye M. Oladimeji, Ramon K. Moronkola, Adeola O. Ajibare, Esther O. Ijaola.
📖 Abstract Content
Background Echocardiography is an essential imaging modality for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular disease, with demand increasing alongside the growing burden of cardiac conditions. Effective service delivery depends on equipment availability, workforce composition, laboratory organization, and service capacity. Although multidisciplinary workforce models are well established in many healthcare systems, echocardiography service delivery in Nigeria remains poorly characterized. National data on workforce models, laboratory practice, service capacity, workload, and patient access are lacking, limiting evidence-based workforce planning and service development.
Aim To assess echocardiography service delivery in Nigeria by evaluating workforce models, laboratory practice, service capacity, and patient access across echocardiography laboratories.
Methods This cross-sectional questionnaire survey will collect data from echocardiography laboratories across Nigeria on workforce composition, professional roles in image acquisition and reporting, laboratory organization, staffing, equipment, workload, examination volumes, waiting times, availability of advanced echocardiographic services, and quality assurance practices. Descriptive analyses will characterize current service delivery models, while comparative analyses will examine the relationship between workforce models and indicators of service capacity and patient access. Findings will be interpreted alongside internationally recognized models of echocardiography practice.
Results The study is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of echocardiography service delivery in Nigeria, describing workforce models, laboratory practices, and service capacity, while identifying variations in service organization. It will also examine associations between workforce models, workload, service capacity, and patient access. The findings will inform workforce planning, service improvement, professional training, and policy development to strengthen echocardiography services in Nigeria.
