title: Attributes of nuclear imaging centers impacting physician referrals for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging tests.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate nuclear imaging center attributes that cardiologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) consider when referring patients for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) tests, and how these attributes impact physician referral decisions in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A targeted literature review and seven one-to-one interviews with physicians and imaging center directors were conducted to identify attributes that could impact physicians' referral decisions. The impact of the identified attributes was assessed via an online discrete choice survey among eligible PCPs and cardiologists randomly selected from a nationally representative panel, and quantified with an odds ratio (OR) scale estimated with a multivariable logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine two-level attributes were identified: ease of the referral process, waiting time for tests, insurance preauthorization assistance, time to receive results, conclusive test reports, patient satisfaction, a protocol for rapid conversion from an exercise to a pharmacological stress test, patient communication, and assistance with parking/wheelchair access. A total of 410 physicians, including 208 (50.7%) cardiologists and 202 (49.3%) PCPs completed the survey. Among all physicians, a protocol that allows for a rapid conversion from an exercise to a pharmacological stress test (OR = 2.9) and preauthorization assistance (OR = 2.6) were the most impactful attributes. Additionally, cardiologists preferred imaging centers that provide an easy referral process (OR = 2.7), while PCPs favored centers offering a conclusive test report (OR = 2.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some center features that might impact physician referral decision were not evaluated in this study, if they were not easily changeable from an imaging center's perspective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The availability of a protocol for rapid conversion from an exercise to a pharmacological stress test and preauthorization assistance had the most significant impact on physician referral decisions for SPECT-MPI. Additionally, cardiologists preferred centers providing an easy referral process, while PCPs favored those offering a concluding statement and actionable steps in test reports.
authors.affiliation: a Analysis Group Inc. , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Junlong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: b Astellas Pharma Global Development Inc. , Northbrook , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Christy R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Houle
authors.affiliation: b Astellas Pharma Global Development Inc. , Northbrook , IL , USA.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Spalding
authors.affiliation: a Analysis Group Inc. , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Hongbo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: a Analysis Group Inc. , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl Q
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: b Astellas Pharma Global Development Inc. , Northbrook , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Therese M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kitt
authors.affiliation: b Astellas Pharma Global Development Inc. , Northbrook , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Rita M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kristy
authors.affiliation: a Analysis Group Inc. , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Eric Q
authors.initials: EQ
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000072096:Cardiologists; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003142:Communication; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006801:Humans; D055414:Myocardial Perfusion Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014850:Waiting Lists
keywords: Nuclear imaging centers; SPECT-MPI tests; cardiologists; discrete choice experiment; online survey; physician referrals; primary care physicians