title: Perspectives on the value of advanced medical imaging: a national survey of primary care physicians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand perceptions of primary care physicians (PCPs) about the value of advanced medical imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  A national quantitative survey of 500 PCPs was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire. Questions focused on advanced medical imaging (CT, MRI, and PET) and its perceived impact on the delivery of patient care. Responses were stratified by physician demographics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Large majorities of the PCPs indicated that advanced imaging increases their diagnostic confidence (441; 88%); provides data not otherwise available (451; 90%); permits better clinical decision making (440; 88%); increases confidence in treatment choices (438; 88%), and shortens time to definitive diagnosis (430; 86%]). Most (424; 85%) believe that patient care would be negatively affected without access to advanced imaging. PCPs whose clinical careers predated the proliferation of advanced imaging modalities (>20 years of practice) assigned higher value to advanced imaging on several dimensions compared with younger physicians whose training overlapped widespread technology availability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By a variety of metrics, large majorities of PCPs believe that advanced medical imaging provides considerable value to patient care. Those whose careers predated the widespread availability of advanced imaging tended to associate it with even higher value.
authors: Hadley Hart Group, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: christine@hadleyhart.com.
authors: Christine M
authors: CM
authors: Hughes
authors: Nielsen Consumer Insights (formerly Harris Interactive), New York, New York.
authors: Erich
authors: E
authors: Kramer
authors: Nielsen Consumer Insights (formerly Harris Interactive), New York, New York.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Colamonico
authors: Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, Reston, Virginia, and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Duszak
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014600:Utilization Review
keywords: Advanced medical imaging; imaging and primary care; medical economics; value of radiology