Restructuring Radiology Education to Improve Imaging Specificity

Abstract

Quotes such as "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" (Benjamin Franklin) and "a good doctor cures the disease, but a great doctor cures the cause" (Amit Kalantri), are poignant reminders of the overwhelming power of preventive medicine on population health. Why, then, would it not be that the health of our medical system would not benefit from the same sort of ideas? Medical imaging is considered over utilized and numerous strategies have attempted to address this including "Choosing Wisely," American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria, clinical decision support instruments and others. Most of these have been partially successful, but none have yet to turn the tide of over imaging. Here, we propose a multipronged strategy to target education of all audiences - medical students, residents/fellows, and practicing physicians. Education on the breadth of imaging options, the limitations of radiology tests, when not to image, as well as when to use highly specific imaging tests, here serves as the preventive measure to curb the spread of overutilization.

Keywords: Radiology; appropriateness; education; over utilization; reform.