Decreasing numbers of gastrointestinal studies: report of data from 69 radiologic practices

A survey of the members of the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists was conducted to document changes in the numbers of gastrointestinal fluoroscopic procedures performed in the United States from 1975 through 1986. Data from 69 radiologic practices indicated that the numbers declined substantially. Decreases in the numbers of upper gastrointestinal examinations, small bowel studies, and barium enemas was 24%, 17%, and 29%, respectively. The number of oral cholecystograms declined 93%. Respondents listed the advent of new techniques (sonography, CT, and MR imaging) and competition from endoscopy as the two major factors that they thought contributed to these decreases. They thought that competition from endoscopy would be the factor most likely to affect the numbers of gastrointestinal fluoroscopic procedures in the near future.