Imaging Appropriateness, Clinical Data, and Feedback: The Healthcare Challenges in Pakistan

Diagnostic radiology is a unique specialty focused primarily on diagnosis rather than treatment. It represents a partnership between clinical and radiology teams. Communication barriers can result in patient harm. Appropriateness and justification of imaging studies are frequently overlooked in Pakistan. This may be attributed primarily to a lack of awareness among referring clinicians; alternatively, economic considerations influenced by health insurance policies may also play a contributory role.  In the UK NHS setup, each radiological investigation must be justified due to government funding and concerns regarding the potential cancer risks associated with computed tomography (CT). Consequently, a radiologist can vet and decline imaging requests considered unjustified. In this article, cross-sectional imaging-related healthcare challenges encountered in clinical settings in Pakistan will be highlighted, and comprehensive solutions aimed at enhancing holistic patient care will be proposed. Key Words: Diagnostic radiology, MRI, ACR, Cross-sectional imaging, Appropriateness.