Norwegian general practitioners’ and radiologists’ perspectives on the referral, justification, and unnecessary imaging—a survey
Aim This study aimed to survey general practitioners’ (GPs) and radiologists’ perspectives on referrals, imaging justification, and unnecessary imaging in Norway.Materials and methods The survey covered access to imaging, responsibilities, attitudes toward justification assessment, referral process,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2024.2366247 |
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| _version_ | 1850192587407753216 |
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| author | Elin Kjelle Eivind Richter Andersen Ingrid Øfsti Brandsæter Bjørn Morten Hofmann |
| author_facet | Elin Kjelle Eivind Richter Andersen Ingrid Øfsti Brandsæter Bjørn Morten Hofmann |
| author_sort | Elin Kjelle |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aim This study aimed to survey general practitioners’ (GPs) and radiologists’ perspectives on referrals, imaging justification, and unnecessary imaging in Norway.Materials and methods The survey covered access to imaging, responsibilities, attitudes toward justification assessment, referral process, and demographics using multiple choice questions, statements to report agreement with using the Likert scale and one open question.Results Forty radiologists and 58 GPs attending national conferences completed a web-based survey, with a 20/15% response rate, respectively. Both radiologists (97%) and GPs (100%) considered avoiding unnecessary examinations essential to their role in the healthcare service. Still, 91% of GPs admitted that they referred to imaging they thought was not helpful, while about 60% of the radiologists agreed that unnecessary imaging was conducted in their workplace. GPs reported pressure from patients and patients having private insurance as the most common reasons for doing unnecessary examinations. In contrast, radiologists reported a lack of clinical information and the inability to discuss patient cases with the GPs as the most common reasons.Conclusion This study adds to our understanding of radiologists’ and GPs’ perspectives on unnecessary imaging and referrals. Better guidelines and, even more importantly, better communication between the referrer and the radiologist are needed. Addressing these issues can reduce unnecessary imaging and improve the quality and safety of care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5f55ca507a5440678b811dde8ffc0b81 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0281-3432 1502-7724 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-5f55ca507a5440678b811dde8ffc0b812025-08-20T02:14:30ZengTaylor & Francis GroupScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care0281-34321502-77242024-10-0142457458110.1080/02813432.2024.2366247Norwegian general practitioners’ and radiologists’ perspectives on the referral, justification, and unnecessary imaging—a surveyElin Kjelle0Eivind Richter Andersen1Ingrid Øfsti Brandsæter2Bjørn Morten Hofmann3Institute for the Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, Gjøvik, NorwayInstitute for the Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, Gjøvik, NorwayInstitute for the Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, Gjøvik, NorwayInstitute for the Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, Gjøvik, NorwayAim This study aimed to survey general practitioners’ (GPs) and radiologists’ perspectives on referrals, imaging justification, and unnecessary imaging in Norway.Materials and methods The survey covered access to imaging, responsibilities, attitudes toward justification assessment, referral process, and demographics using multiple choice questions, statements to report agreement with using the Likert scale and one open question.Results Forty radiologists and 58 GPs attending national conferences completed a web-based survey, with a 20/15% response rate, respectively. Both radiologists (97%) and GPs (100%) considered avoiding unnecessary examinations essential to their role in the healthcare service. Still, 91% of GPs admitted that they referred to imaging they thought was not helpful, while about 60% of the radiologists agreed that unnecessary imaging was conducted in their workplace. GPs reported pressure from patients and patients having private insurance as the most common reasons for doing unnecessary examinations. In contrast, radiologists reported a lack of clinical information and the inability to discuss patient cases with the GPs as the most common reasons.Conclusion This study adds to our understanding of radiologists’ and GPs’ perspectives on unnecessary imaging and referrals. Better guidelines and, even more importantly, better communication between the referrer and the radiologist are needed. Addressing these issues can reduce unnecessary imaging and improve the quality and safety of care.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2024.2366247General practitionerreferraldiagnostic imagingjustificationradiologistOverutilization |
| spellingShingle | Elin Kjelle Eivind Richter Andersen Ingrid Øfsti Brandsæter Bjørn Morten Hofmann Norwegian general practitioners’ and radiologists’ perspectives on the referral, justification, and unnecessary imaging—a survey Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care General practitioner referral diagnostic imaging justification radiologist Overutilization |
| title | Norwegian general practitioners’ and radiologists’ perspectives on the referral, justification, and unnecessary imaging—a survey |
| title_full | Norwegian general practitioners’ and radiologists’ perspectives on the referral, justification, and unnecessary imaging—a survey |
| title_fullStr | Norwegian general practitioners’ and radiologists’ perspectives on the referral, justification, and unnecessary imaging—a survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Norwegian general practitioners’ and radiologists’ perspectives on the referral, justification, and unnecessary imaging—a survey |
| title_short | Norwegian general practitioners’ and radiologists’ perspectives on the referral, justification, and unnecessary imaging—a survey |
| title_sort | norwegian general practitioners and radiologists perspectives on the referral justification and unnecessary imaging a survey |
| topic | General practitioner referral diagnostic imaging justification radiologist Overutilization |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2024.2366247 |
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