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An Overview of Strategies Targeting Inappropriate Advanced Diagnostic Imaging in the Setting of Acute Uncomplicated Low Back Pain

  • Quality and Safety (H Abujudeh, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aims of this article are to review the driving forces for increased utilization of imaging within the US and to review the strategies currently being implemented to curtail the use of inappropriate advanced diagnostic imaging (ADI) in the setting of acute uncomplicated low back pain.

Recent Findings

Strategies aimed at reducing inappropriate ADI in the setting of uncomplicated low back pain, including guideline dissemination, clinical decision support (CDS), audit and feedback, prior authorization, and prior notification.

Summary

Increasing utilization of inappropriate ADI is a multifactorial problem, and the solution is complex. Like many problems in medicine, it is unlikely that we will be able to identify a single intervention as a solution. Instead, a concerted effort grounded in physician education, CDS, and audit and feedback may be our best tool against inappropriate ADI in the setting of acute uncomplicated low back pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA

    Ahmad Babaa, Maysoon Al-Hihi & Hani H. Abujudeh

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  1. Ahmad Babaa
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  2. Maysoon Al-Hihi
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  3. Hani H. Abujudeh
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Correspondence to Ahmad Babaa.

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Dr. Babaa and Dr. Al-Hihi declare no potential conflicts of interest that are relevant to this manuscript. Dr. Abujudeh reports textbook royalties, outside the submitted work.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Babaa, A., Al-Hihi, M. & Abujudeh, H. An Overview of Strategies Targeting Inappropriate Advanced Diagnostic Imaging in the Setting of Acute Uncomplicated Low Back Pain. Curr Radiol Rep 8, 1 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-020-0345-5

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