Aim: To record general practitioners use of diagnostic imaging facilities in areas with different levels of access.
Method: A random sample of general practitioners from three different areas kept a prospective record for one month of all patients referred to diagnostic imaging facilities, the outcomes of these investigations and the total number of patients seen.
Results: Referrals for diagnostic imaging services were significantly different between the localities (p = 0.014). The area with the least restrictions on access and the highest referral rate showed the greatest variation between doctors. There was a significant difference (p = 0.047) between the localities for patients who could not be referred because of restricted access and the cost of the services. The majority (68%) of patients who were unable to access these services were referred to the hospital for admission, for an outpatient appointment or to the accident and emergency department. There was little difference between the localities in either the presence or absence of pathology, or in the proportion of patients where the diagnosis was changed as a result of the diagnostic imaging investigation.
Conclusion: Improved access to diagnostic imaging services for patients of general practitioners would result in better patient management and prevent unnecessary hospital referrals.