Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

01 March 2005 : Original article  

Variation in MRI/CT Utilization among Family Physicians and General Internists in a Multi-Specialty Group Practice

Glen R. Couchman, Samuel N. Forjuoh, Michael D. Reis, George Bartels, David Lindzey

Med Sci Monit 2005; 11(3): MT19-25 :: ID: 15397

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to examine variations in MRI/CT utilization between family physicians (FPs) and general internists (IMs) within a multi-specialty group practice.
Material/Methods: Using administrative data, we computed ordering rates of MRI/CT per 1,000 outpatient clinic visits and per 1,000 unique patients and rate ratios (RR) to compare rates between 34 FPs and 24 IMs practicing in 7 clinics located within 50 miles of the radiology facility. We also assessed intra-specialty variation. Sources and degree of variation were determined separately for FPs and IMs through multivariate linear regression modeling.
Results: The IMs ordered MRI/CTs at twice the rate of FPs (29.6 vs. 14.8 per 1,000). Although the absolute ranges by specialty were statistically similar, the variance was signifi cantly higher for IMs (86.1
vs. 52.3; p

Keywords: Ambulatory Care - utilization, Group Practice - statistics & numerical data, Internal Medicine - statistics & numerical data, Magnetic Resonance Imaging - utilization, Physicians, Family - statistics & numerical data, Tomography, X-Ray Computed - utilization, Ambulatory Care - utilization, Data Collection, Group Practice - statistics & numerical data, Health Services - utilization, Internal Medicine - statistics & numerical data, Linear Models, Magnetic Resonance Imaging - utilization, Physician's Practice Patterns - statistics & numerical data, Physicians, Family - statistics & numerical data, Professional Practice - statistics & numerical data, Regression Analysis, Severity of Illness Index, Texas, Tomography, X-Ray Computed - utilization

Add Comment 0 Comments

Editorial

01 November 2024 : Editorial  

Editorial: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Image Analysis, and the Future of Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis

Dinah V. Parums

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.947038

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e947038

0:00

In Press

Review article  

Epigenetic and Immune Mechanisms Linking Breastfeeding to Lower Breast Cancer Rates

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945451  

Clinical Research  

Comprehensive Analysis of Immune Infiltration and Key Genes in Peri-Implantitis Using Bioinformatics and Mo...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941870  

Clinical Research  

High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry and Balloon Expulsion Test Outcomes in Functional Constipation: A Compa...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944599  

Clinical Research  

Plaque Removal and Gingival Bleeding Using Biodegradable Toothbrushes: Salvadora persica, Bamboo, and Nylo...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944469  

Most Viewed Current Articles

17 Jan 2024 : Review article   6,157,120

Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant

DOI :10.12659/MSM.942799

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799

0:00

14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research   1,908,619

Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase Levels

DOI :10.12659/MSM.937990

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990

0:00

16 May 2023 : Clinical Research   695,167

Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387

0:00

07 Jan 2022 : Meta-Analysis   260,369

Efficacy and Safety of Light Therapy as a Home Treatment for Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson Dise...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935074

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935074

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750