Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Health Services Management, Health Management and Economics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Health Information Technology Research Center, Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Library and Information Sciences, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran,
3 Vice-Chancellery for Education, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Inappropriate and irrational use of numerous advanced diagnostic imaging technologies has
recently been highlighted in many countries and has gathered the attention of policymakers.
This matter has not only increased health costs in countries but also resulted in adverse health
results. Various factors are involved in the inappropriate or unnecessary use of advanced
medical imaging techniques including patient‑related, physician‑related, technological,
and ultimately radiologist‑related factors. This calls for the provision of new guidelines by
policymakers to encourage all service providers to make appropriate use of such techniques.
One of the main approaches in this regard is the application of clinical guidelines and decision
support systems. The present study was a systematized review that conducted in January
2019, and the articles related to palliative care requirements on databases of Web of Science,
PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Ovid, ProQuest, Wiley, and Google Scholar from January
1, 2009, to January 20, 2019, were searched. Strategy for searching and selecting the articles
was Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑Analyses Guidelines.
Overview of the studies shows that various reasons for the overuse of diagnostic imaging
technologies and effects of applying clinical guidelines on reducing diagnostic costs of
treatment are investigated in this article with respect to various aspects and viewpoints.
Clinical guidelines can be significantly effective in evaluating suitability and quality of
referrals for diagnostic imaging, if only adapted properly.
Keywords
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