CAT scans vs MRI scans

[SupDock]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Monti,

I totally agree with you about the overuse of CT. Curious about your thoughts on that in the Canadian health system.

In US health systems, it’s (IMO) overused because of our “business model”. The more scans, the more revenue generated, the greater profit by individual health care systems. And as you know, CT/MRI generate a ton of revenue vs US. (At least in the systems in which I operate).

How does it work in your world?

Providers are using it because it’s quick and easy. Providers realistically don’t get paid more for ordering a CT scan, and I have never seen an administrator encouraging providers to order more tests to make more money for the hospital system.

It probably does happen at times, but I cant imagine that it occurs in any significant volume, and I don’t imagine many providers actually listening.