Turf wars in radiology: other causes of overutilization and what can be done about it.
The overutilization of noninvasive diagnostic imaging (NDI) is a complex problem with many other aspects aside from self-referral. This article discusses (1) other causes of overutilization, (2) the rationales used by nonradiologist physicians to justify self-referring their patients for NDI, (3) the extent of self-referral by radiologists (called "autoreferral" by some), and (4) steps that could be taken to curb the overutilization of NDI in the United States. It is important for radiologists to be familiar with these issues and to support efforts to control overutilization.
Levin
David C
DC
Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. david.levin@mail.tju.edu
Rao
Vijay M
VM
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018584:Physician Self-Referral; D011871:Radiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures