Saeed Karimi; Fatemeh Rezaei; Ayan Kordi
Volume 9, Issue 7 , December 2012, , Pages 1146-1151
Abstract
Introduction: The use of high-cost and high-tech magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has expanded overthe past decade. A recently conducted research reported various causes with regard to their own countryand healthcare system included aging population and advances in diagnostic technologies which couldresult ...
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Introduction: The use of high-cost and high-tech magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has expanded overthe past decade. A recently conducted research reported various causes with regard to their own countryand healthcare system included aging population and advances in diagnostic technologies which couldresult in diagnostic services to become more applicable in clinical arena. Increasing number ofradiologists, access to physicians and these types of services affect its use. This study aimed to determinethe level of magnetic resonance imaging service utilization in 2010-2011 for specialties, types of MRI andfund coverage.Methods: This was an analytical study. Information of various MRI types, prescribed MRI by eachspecialists and various fund of health insurance was extracted from the Isfahan Health Insurance, Irandatabase through census method during 2010 and 2011 midyears. Excel was used to analyze each group.Results: Over two midyears (2010-2011), total number of prescribed MRI increased about 177 MRIs.Neurologists and orthopedic specialists ordered the most scans (843 and 819 scans in 2011 and in 2012,respectively which was related to orthopedic specialists and then to neurologists) and were the mostfrequent users of CT/MRI scans. Abdominal scans (n = 1218) in 2010 and lumbar scans (n = 921) in 2011were the most ordered scans, respectively. The most prescribed MRI was related to governmentemployees fund (average number = 1472) and the lowest was related to self-employed insured fund(average number = 17).Conclusion: Increased number of performed MRI is rooted from different causes. Increased number ofMRI centers could cause an upward trend. Other effective factors in utilization these services would betime pressure for physical examination, professional uncertainty, patients' expectations to prescribe moredrugs and diagnostic services, lack of a proper payment system and inadequate payments to physicians
