A number of ACRRM members received a letter at the end of 2019 providing feedback on their imaging requests for musculoskeletal concerns and information regarding supporting resources and tools.
As a follow up, some letter recipients will soon receive correspondence from the department with updated feedback on their imaging requests for musculoskeletal concerns. This is not a compulsory activity. Members are not being contacted as part of an audit or practitioner review compliance activity and are not required to provide information to the department about their imaging requests.
This is part of the Reducing Unnecessary Diagnostic Imaging Project , which aims to promote the clinically relevant use of clinically relevant use of imaging services, and assists GPs to reduce the potential for unintended harm to patients from cumulative exposure to ionising radiation, and identification of incidental findings that may increase patient anxiety and lead to further unnecessary treatment.
The department acknowledges that imaging requests are influenced by many factors and these are important to consider when interpreting feedback. To improve the value of information presented, the Department has partnered with Wiser Healthcare and consulted with ACRRM and other peak health care groups through the design and development of this project, as well as seeking direct feedback from GPs and patient representatives.
A number of resources and tools to support GPs requesting musculoskeletal imaging are available at www.health.gov.au/imaging-requests.
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact diagnostic.imaging@health.gov.au.
Members are also welcome to provide feedback directly to the College. Contact j.johnson@acrrm.org.au