Senior Scholars Program

Title

Changes in Physician Decision Making after CT: A Prospective Multicenter Study in Primary Care Settings

UMMS Affiliation

School of Medicine; Senior Scholars Program

Faculty Advisor

Pari Pandharipande, MD, MPH

Publication Date

2016-12-01

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Medical Education | Primary Care | Radiology

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of computed tomography (CT) results on physician decision making in three common clinical scenarios in primary care.

Materials and Methods: This research was approved by the institutional review board (IRB) and was HIPAA compliant. All physicians consented to participate with an opt-in or opt-out mechanism; patient consent was waived with IRB approval. In this prospective multicenter observational study, outpatients referred by primary care providers (PCPs) for CT evaluation of abdominal pain, hematuria, or weight loss were identified. Prior to CT, PCPs were surveyed to elicit their leading diagnosis, confidence in that diagnosis (confidence range, 0%-100%), a rule-out diagnosis, and a management plan if CT were not available. Surveys were repeated after CT. Study measures were the proportion of patients in whom leading diagnoses and management changed (PCP management vs specialist referral vs emergency department transfer), median changes in diagnostic confidence, and the proportion of patients in whom CT addressed rule-out diagnoses. Regression analyses were used to identify associations between study measures and site and participant characteristics. Specifically, logistic regression analysis was used for binary study measures (change in leading diagnosis, change in management), and linear regression analysis was used for the continuous study measure (change in diagnostic confidence). Accrual began on September 5, 2012, and ended on June 28, 2014.

Results: In total, 91 PCPs completed pre- and post-CT surveys in 373 patients. In patients with abdominal pain, hematuria, or weight loss, leading diagnoses changed after CT in 53% (131 of 246), 49% (36 of 73), and 57% (27 of 47) of patients, respectively. Management changed in 35% (86 of 248), 27% (20 of 74), and 54% (26 of 48) of patients, respectively. Median absolute changes in diagnostic confidence were substantial and significant (+20%, +20%, and +19%, respectively; P≤ .001 for all); median confidence after CT was high (90%, 88%, and 80%, respectively). PCPs reported CT was helpful in confirming or excluding rule-out diagnoses in 98% (184 of 187), 97% (59 of 61), and 97% (33 of 34) of patients, respectively. Significant associations between primary measures and site and participant characteristics were not identified.

Conclusion: Changes in PCP leading diagnoses and management after CT were common, and diagnostic confidence increased substantially.

DOI of Published Version

10.1148/radiol.2016152887

Source

Radiology. 2016 Dec;281(3):835-846. Epub 2016 Jul 29. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Radiology

Comments

Jonathan D. Eisenberg participated in this study as a medical student as part of the Senior Scholars research program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

27479641

Link to Full Text

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