Diagnostic imaging procedure volume in the United States

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Diagnostic imaging procedure volume is a key indicator of healthcare utilization and technological adoption.
• Understanding trends in imaging procedures is crucial for resource allocation and healthcare policy.
• Previous studies have provided snapshots of imaging volumes, but comprehensive data across various settings is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively assess diagnostic imaging procedure volume in U.S. hospitals and private practices for 1979 and 1980.
• To identify the distribution of different imaging modalities within the total procedure volume.
• To analyze the growth rate of imaging procedures from 1973 to 1980.

Main Methods:

• A stratified random sampling methodology was employed.
• Data collection encompassed U.S. short-term general-care hospitals and private practices of key medical specialists.
• Procedure volumes for 1979 and 1980 were systematically gathered.

Main Results:

• Approximately 181 million diagnostic imaging procedures were performed in 1980.
• Plain film radiography (140.3 million) and contrast studies (22.9 million) constituted the majority of imaging procedures.
• Ultrasound, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, and special procedures accounted for less than 10% of the total volume.
• Hospital imaging procedure volume demonstrated an annual growth rate of nearly 8% between 1973 and 1980.

Conclusions:

• Despite the rise of advanced imaging technologies, conventional radiography and contrast studies remained the dominant diagnostic imaging modalities in 1980.
• The healthcare sector experienced substantial growth in diagnostic imaging utilization during the late 1970s.
• These findings highlight the evolving landscape of medical imaging and its increasing role in patient care.