title: Factors That Will Determine Future Utilization Trends in Diagnostic Imaging.
abstract: Radiologists are facing uncertain times, and in this kind of environment, strategic planning is important but difficult. In particular, it is hard to know whether future imaging volume will increase, decrease, or stay approximately the same. In this article, the authors discuss a variety of factors that will influence imaging use in the coming years. Some factors will tend to increase imaging use, whereas others will tend to curtail it. Some of these factors will affect individual groups differently, depending on their locations and the circumstances of their practices. Radiologists would be well advised to become aware of and consider these factors as they go about their planning processes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Utilization of Imaging Services, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; HealthHelp, LLC, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: david.levin@jefferson.edu.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Utilization of Imaging Services, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Vijay M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D005544:Forecasting; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States
keywords: Medical economics; imaging utilization trends; noninvasive diagnostic imaging; radiology and radiologists; socioeconomic issues