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Today, we are speaking with Dr. Amir Davarpanah, Assistant Professor of Radiology at Emory University. Dr. Davarpanah recently published an article titled Novel Screening and Triage Strategy in Iran During Deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 and in this episode, we hear about the inventive methodologies it documents. Using Iran as a case study, our conversation is all about creative solutions to the issue of screening for COVID in resource- scarce countries and the value of humanitarian approaches during this time of crisis. Dr. Davarpanah stresses the importance of screening at the earliest stage possible, and we hear his recommendations to doctors as far as being resourceful where resources are lacking.

Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy!

Talking points:

• Introducing Dr. Davarpanah and his paper about novel screening processes in Iran. (0:31) 
• Scarce resources in Iran during the crisis leading to their creative screening solutions. (0:55)
• The role of Iranian sanctions and lessons from China in Iran’s evolving plan. (1:38) 
• PCR test unreliability and how Iran used existing CT scanning infrastructure. (2:05)
• Bypassing master screening by using early signs of illness as a cue for a CT scan. (3:06)
• Overcoming the challenge of interpreting chest CT scans using social media. (3:48) 
• Drawbacks of DICOM and the infrastructure of the social media sharing system. (4:20)
• Collaboration between Iranian/American radiologists leading to high scan amounts. (5:21) 
• What gave Dr. Davarpanah the idea to assist Iran in this way from his home in the US. (5:56)
• Takeaways for other countries: the need to identify infected people early on. (6:55)
• Whether CT scans can be of use where resources and PCR tests are scarce. (7:07) 
• Approaches that take resource availability into consideration in fighting COVID. (8:02)
• The need to find solutions for identifying people that have been symptomless for long. (9:03)
• Why collaborative, humanitarian efforts are needed to fight crises like this. (10:06)
• Advice for how young physicians can help, cooperate, and share findings. (11:27)

Resources:

“Novel Screening and Triage Strategy in Iran During Deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic: Value of Humanitarian Teleconsultation Service"
Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2020 Mar 24.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32167538/