Dr. Rao Talks About Physicians Utilizing More High-End Images When They are Equipment Owners in Reuters Health Article
According to a new study, heart patients are more likely to get costly follow-up tests sooner than guidelines recommend if their doctors own testing equipment or get paid for interpreting test results.
In recent years, more and more stress imaging tests are being done in doctors' offices as groups of doctors purchase the equipment to do testing on-site. However, while that's convenient for patients, this could drive up healthcare costs if doctors are more likely to refer patients for tests when they're the ones getting reimbursed.
In a Reuters Health interview, Dr. Vijay Rao, chair of the Department of Radiology at Jefferson, comments, "Studies have shown over and over again that physicians who own their own equipment utilize the high-end imaging at a much higher rate."
Publication: Reuters Health
Published: 11/8/2011