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Japanese Journal of Radiology
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology 4/2018

01-04-2018 | Original Article

Global and Japanese regional variations in radiologist potential workload for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations

Authors: Kanako K. Kumamaru, Akihiro Machitori, Ritsuko Koba, Shinpei Ijichi, Yasuo Nakajima, Shigeki Aoki

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 4/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the global variation in radiologist potential workload for CT and MRI examinations, and the regional variation in potential workload and extent of radiologists’ involvement in CT and MRI examinations in Japan.

Methods

“Radiologist potential workload” was defined as the annual number of CT plus MRI examinations divided by the total number of diagnostic radiologists. The extent of radiologists’ involvement was measured as the proportion of CT and MRI examinations to which “Added-fees for Radiological Managements on Imaging-studies (ARMIs)” were applied among eligible examinations. Maximum variation was computed as the ratio of the highest-to-lowest values among the countries or Japanese prefectures.

Results

The radiologist potential workload in Japan was 2.78–4.17 times higher than those in other countries. A maximum prefecture-to-prefecture variation was 3.88. The average percentage of CT plus MRI examinations with ARMI applied was 43.3%, with a maximum prefecture-to-prefecture variation of 3.97. Prefectures with more radiologists tended to have a higher extent of radiologists’ involvement.

Conclusions

Japan had a far greater radiologist potential workload compared with other countries, with a large regional variation among prefectures. Prefectures with more radiologists tended to have a higher extent of radiologists’ involvement in CT and MRI examinations.
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Metadata
Title
Global and Japanese regional variations in radiologist potential workload for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations
Authors
Kanako K. Kumamaru
Akihiro Machitori
Ritsuko Koba
Shinpei Ijichi
Yasuo Nakajima
Shigeki Aoki
Publication date
01-04-2018
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-018-0724-5

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