title: Evidence for Policy Making: Clinical Appropriateness Study of Lumbar Spine MRI Prescriptions Using RAND Appropriateness Method.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  MRI is a new and expensive diagnostic technology, which has been used increasingly all over the world. Low back pain is a worldwide prevalent disorder and MRI technique is one of the several ways to diagnose it. This paper aims to identify the appropriateness of lumbar spine MRI prescriptions in Shiraz teaching hospitals using standardized RAND Appropriateness Method (RAM) criteria in 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study consisted of two phases. The first phase involved a qualitative enquiry and the second phase had a quantitative cross-sectional nature. In the first phase RAM was used for developing lumbar spine MRI indications and scenarios. In the second phase, the finalized scenarios were compared with the history and physical examination of 300 patients with low back pain. The rate of appropriateness of lumbar spine MRI prescription was then calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 300 cases of lumbar spine MRI prescriptions, approximately 167 (56%) were considered inappropriate, 72 (24%) were uncertain, and 61 (20%) were deemed to be appropriate. The economic burden of inappropriate prescriptions was calculated at 88,009,000 Rials. In addition, the types of expertise and physical examination were considered as related factors to appropriateness of prescriptions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, a large proportion of lumbar spine MRI prescriptions, which result in financial burden on the insurance companies and the patients alike is unnecessary. This study suggests that policy makers consider this evidence while decision-making. Our findings highlight the imperative role of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). As a result, developing local clinical guidelines may create the commitment needed in physicians in prescribing appropriate prescriptions within the health sector. The study further recommends that appropriate scenarios should be considered as a criterion for payment and reimbursement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Research Center for Health Services Management, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman , Iran.
authors.forename: Hedayat
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salari
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
authors.forename: Rahim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ostovar
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Research Center for Health Services Management, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman , Iran.
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esfandiari
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics and Management, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keshtkaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akbari Sari
authors.affiliation: Shiraz Medical Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yousefi Manesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Foreign Languages, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rakhshan
keywords: Clinical Practice Guideline; Evidence; Lumbar Spine; MRI Prescription; RAND Appropriateness Method; Shiraz