TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring pre-MRI imaging tests
T2 - patient survey reveals potential implications for healthcare efficiency in Israel
AU - Kaim, Arielle
AU - Singer, Clara
AU - Bergovoy-Yellin, Lucia
AU - Luxenburg, Osnat
AU - Vaknin, Sharona
AU - Boldor, Noga
AU - Wilf-Miron, Rachel
AU - Myers, Vicki
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Background: Medical imaging tests are vital in healthcare but can be costly, impacting national health expenditures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a crucial diagnostic tool for assessing medical conditions. However, the rising demand for MRI scans has frequently strained available resources. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of different imaging tests in individuals who eventually had an MRI, in the Israeli public health system. Methods: An online survey of patient experience of scheduling an MRI was conducted in January–February 2023, among 557 Israeli adults, representing all four health maintenance organizations (HMOs). All participants had undergone an MRI in the public health system within the past year. Results: Results showed that 60% of participants underwent other imaging tests before their MRI scan. Of those, computed tomography (CT) scans (43%), X-rays (39%), and ultrasounds (32%) were the most common additional imaging procedures. In addition, of the 60% of participants, 23% had undergone more than one prior imaging examination. Conclusions: These findings highlight the high prevalence of preliminary imaging tests prior to MRI, with many patients undergoing multiple tests for the same problem. The health system may need to evaluate whether current clinical guidelines defining the use of various imaging tests are cost-effective.
AB - Background: Medical imaging tests are vital in healthcare but can be costly, impacting national health expenditures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a crucial diagnostic tool for assessing medical conditions. However, the rising demand for MRI scans has frequently strained available resources. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of different imaging tests in individuals who eventually had an MRI, in the Israeli public health system. Methods: An online survey of patient experience of scheduling an MRI was conducted in January–February 2023, among 557 Israeli adults, representing all four health maintenance organizations (HMOs). All participants had undergone an MRI in the public health system within the past year. Results: Results showed that 60% of participants underwent other imaging tests before their MRI scan. Of those, computed tomography (CT) scans (43%), X-rays (39%), and ultrasounds (32%) were the most common additional imaging procedures. In addition, of the 60% of participants, 23% had undergone more than one prior imaging examination. Conclusions: These findings highlight the high prevalence of preliminary imaging tests prior to MRI, with many patients undergoing multiple tests for the same problem. The health system may need to evaluate whether current clinical guidelines defining the use of various imaging tests are cost-effective.
KW - Efficiency
KW - Health policy
KW - Medical imaging
KW - Radiology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85189585779&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s13584-024-00593-0
DO - 10.1186/s13584-024-00593-0
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C2 - 38556863
AN - SCOPUS:85189585779
SN - 2045-4015
VL - 13
JO - Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
JF - Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
IS - 1
M1 - 7
ER -