Why your urologist may be ordering unnecessary imaging tests

Monday, November 08, 2010 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer
Tags: urology, imaging tests, health news

(NaturalNews) Whether a urologist is salaried or self-employed can make all the difference in how often and under what circumstances he or she orders imaging tests, according to a new study out of the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. Self-employed urologists tend to be twice as likely to order imaging tests than employed urologists, and researchers believe financial incentives are to blame.

"In the same patient, a medical problem would be evaluated -- and perhaps treated -- differently by employed versus self-employed urologists," explained Dr. John M. Hollingsworth, author of the study, to Reuters Health. Since ordering more diagnostic tests means more money for the self-employed urologist, it makes sense that those in this type of practice are more likely to order them, even when their patients do not really need them.

Based on data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey that included over 37 million outpatient visits to urologists, roughly 80 percent of urologists are self-employed, and more than 20 percent of urology visits involve orders for imaging tests. But about 24 percent of self-employed urologists order imaging for their patients while only 13 percent of salaried urologists do.

Though the majority of the imaging tests ordered were ultrasounds, other types of imaging that involve radiation could be problematic in the long-term for patients who see self-employed urologists, as repeated exposure could cause other health problems. For this reason, some are calling for changes to be made in the way physicians are reimbursed for services in order to curb illegitimate imaging orders.

"With physicians controlling much of the demand for imaging, strategies to affect its use should consider the methods by which providers are compensated," added Hollingsworth.

Sources for this story include:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A450Y...