Radiology is valuable to general practitioners; but who pays?

This study evaluated an open access general practitioner radiological service. Questionnaires were completed in 216 out of 250 cases both before and after radiological examination. Chests and specials (bariums, intravenous urography, ultrasound) were most often of diagnostic value when confirming normality, while other radiographs were more likely to be of value in assessing the severity of known disease (P less than 0.001). Patient therapy was altered in 31% of cases following receipt of the radiological report, and management was changed in 40%. In 25% of cases the patient was discharged on receipt of the report. In 28% of cases the report avoided a hospital referral. Special examinations were most likely (P less than 0.05) to avoid a referral. It is concluded that open access radiology is a considerable help with diagnosis and management, and substantially reduces out-patient referrals. The possible consequences for the acute services of providing a full general practitioner diagnostic service are discussed.