Substitution of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Computed Tomography: An Exploratory Study
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 March 2009
Extract
Deapite the importance of understanding factors related to physician adoption and use of diagnostiv technologies, relatively few studies have been published. Results of a two-year study of the adoption of magnetiv resonance imaging (MRI) and its substitution for computed tomography scanning (CT) are presented. The literature on physician adoption and use of technologu is used to provide a frame-work for this study. Differences in adoption and substitution among medical specialties, early versus late adopters, and high versus low users of MRI are examined. Results show that neuerologists and internists more rapidly adopt MRI and substitute it for CT than do orthopedists and other surgical specialists. Referral of higher number of patients is the best predictor of more rapid substitution. Physicians who were late adopters more quickly substituted MRI for CT. The cost and social implications of empirical versus “ideal” substitution rates are discussed along with various regulatory, technology assessment, and finicial strategies influence substitution. The role of individual physicians, radiologists, and specialty societies in determining substitution rates is also discussed.
- Type
- General Essays
- Information
- International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , October 1988 , pp. 573 - 591
- Copyright
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988
References
REFERENCES
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