Exploring the Benefits of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reporting by Radiographers: A UK Perspective.

Background: The United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS) Imaging and Radiodiagnostic activity 2013/14 report estimates the year-on-year increase of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations to be 12.3%, with the designated radiologist workforce disproportionate to the increase in demand.

Objective: To review the economics, risk, and feasibility of MRI reporting by radiographers.

Design: A PICO (the four major components of a clinical or research question: patient [population], intervention, comparison, and outcome) framework using example patient demand from audit data of noncomplex MRI examination attendance (n = 3,525) over 12 months was used to review costs, potential outcome risks (diagnostic thresholds), and feasibility (workforce capacity) of both interventions.

Conclusions: The benefits of introducing a skills mix reporting service model to the benefit of service delivery in the UK has shown a potential £145,230-£60,524 per annum cost saving using a generic acute workload model. Research into recorded discrepancy/error audit data for potential detrimental risk to patient outcomes identified a paucity of evidence and recommends that further research is needed.