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Here is an article from a journal called practical neurology. I posted it on the neurology forum earlier. Its pretty blunt and tasteless. I wonder how this article would do if it was in the neurology clinic waiting room:
Clinician self-referral is no doubt real and is an issue, not just for radiologists, but for healthcare in general. Studies have shown imaging increases 2-8 fold when physicians self refer. Additional studies have shown poor imaging quality and intpretation by clinicians.
The worry is not that they will take away radiologist jobs. This will just not happen. However, as more and more people try to capitalize on imaging, it no doubt prompt decrease in reimbursement. The main issues that concern me however, is the quality of interpretation and image quality (especially with MRI)
The battle is on. The ACR is leading the way right now through legislation. Insurance companies are catching on that physicians who self-refer increase costs and have begun to crack down.
Just thought I'd pass this information on to fellow rads and rads applicants. Do not let this issue dissuade you from rads. Its still an amazing field and that is not likely to change. Turf issues will always be present, however. We need to be aware.
Clinician self-referral is no doubt real and is an issue, not just for radiologists, but for healthcare in general. Studies have shown imaging increases 2-8 fold when physicians self refer. Additional studies have shown poor imaging quality and intpretation by clinicians.
The worry is not that they will take away radiologist jobs. This will just not happen. However, as more and more people try to capitalize on imaging, it no doubt prompt decrease in reimbursement. The main issues that concern me however, is the quality of interpretation and image quality (especially with MRI)
The battle is on. The ACR is leading the way right now through legislation. Insurance companies are catching on that physicians who self-refer increase costs and have begun to crack down.
Just thought I'd pass this information on to fellow rads and rads applicants. Do not let this issue dissuade you from rads. Its still an amazing field and that is not likely to change. Turf issues will always be present, however. We need to be aware.
