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Chest radiography for general practitioners--a low yield investigation
The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
|August 1, 1983
Insights
Most chest X-rays requested by doctors are normal, with few showing significant findings. Reducing chest radiography referrals could lower costs in this specialized medical field.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Chest radiography is a common diagnostic tool used by general practitioners.
- The utility and cost-effectiveness of routine chest X-rays are subjects of ongoing evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the findings of chest radiographs requested by general practitioners.
- To assess the proportion of normal, relevant, and irrelevant abnormalities detected.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1,163 chest radiographs.
- Categorization of radiographic findings into normal, apparently relevant lesion, and apparently irrelevant abnormality.
Main Results:
- 67.5% of chest radiographs were normal.
- 21% revealed an apparently relevant lesion.
- 11.5% showed an apparently irrelevant abnormality.
Conclusions:
- A significant majority of chest radiographs yield normal results.
- Referral rates for chest radiography may be excessive, suggesting potential for reduction to manage costs.
Abstract:
Of 1,163 chest rediographs requested by general practitioners, 67.5 per cent were normal, 21 per cent revealed an apparently relevant lesion, and 11.5 per cent an apparently irrelevant abnormality. The number of referrals for chest radiography should be reduced to cut costs in an expensive specialty.