Patients' Role in the Use of Radiology Testing for Common Office Practice Complaints

Abstract

Patients' perceived need for radiological studies was significantly associated with use of those services for outpatients with respiratory problems and low back pain. These findings suggest that patients communicate their wishes to physicians, either directly or indirectly, regarding services they think are necessary. Differences in physicians' adherence to guidelines regarding radiology utilization may in part reflect variations in patients' perceived need for those services. Efforts to educate patients about when radiological studies are medically indicated may be an important complement to practice guidelines or other utilization-related financial incentives.