KLAS, RSNA detail radiologists MU concerns
Radiologists indicate concern about meaningful use (MU), according to a survey from KLAS and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
In the survey of 216 radiologists, nearly 40 percent of participants cited concerns about either the lack of clarity in MU guidelines or decreased efficiency as a result of adopting current MU guidelines. The study, "Radiologists' Take on Meaningful Use: a KLAS-RSNA Report," features feedback from a cross section of radiologists from across the nation as well as from private practice, hospital-based practice and academic centers.
KLAS and RSNA teamed up to uncover radiologists' major concerns regarding MU and what types of guidelines they felt would be beneficial to the practice of radiology and found that most do not believe they are educated about MU.
Results of the study indicated:
"These numbers should be a wakeup call for the radiology industry. Most radiologists are eligible providers, meaning that if they meet MU criteria by the deadline, they are eligible for some or all of the $44,000 incentive. In addition, those who do not meet the criteria by 2015 will be hit with penalties," said Emily Crane, KLAS research director, in a statement. "Getting educated and involved with meaningful use can't wait."
Some radiologists are concerned that the current guidelines do not take radiology into consideration, and so as a part of the survey, participants indicated what they felt would be beneficial to radiology. Overall, radiologists felt that clinical decision support (CDS) was important, especially for referring physicians, and saw this as a means to ensure that the correct imaging test is ordered. CDS is also seen as a way to reduce the amount of unnecessary and costly imaging.
On the other hand, radiologists felt that radiation dose tracking and patient engagement were the least beneficial criteria. In follow-up interviews, radiologists indicated that while they feel patients have a right to their images and reports, there was no apparent medical benefit or necessity for them to have electronic access.
"We hope that this feedback from radiologists can serve as a guide for the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT and those in Washington who are currently addressing Stage 2 and Stage 3 guidelines. Radiologists would like guidelines that are more appropriate for their practice of radiology," said Crane.
In addition to the questions formulated by RSNA, KLAS asked questions regarding vendor preparedness to help providers as they work to qualify for MU. Looking at RIS and PACS vendors KLAS found that, on average, 25 percent of respondents felt their vendor was not prepared to help them meet MU requirements.
In the survey of 216 radiologists, nearly 40 percent of participants cited concerns about either the lack of clarity in MU guidelines or decreased efficiency as a result of adopting current MU guidelines. The study, "Radiologists' Take on Meaningful Use: a KLAS-RSNA Report," features feedback from a cross section of radiologists from across the nation as well as from private practice, hospital-based practice and academic centers.
KLAS and RSNA teamed up to uncover radiologists' major concerns regarding MU and what types of guidelines they felt would be beneficial to the practice of radiology and found that most do not believe they are educated about MU.
Results of the study indicated:
- Sixty percent of surveyed radiologists either plan to or are considering qualifying for MU;
- Twenty-five percent said they are very involved in making decisions regarding MU; and
- Six percent considered themselves to be educated regarding MU.
"These numbers should be a wakeup call for the radiology industry. Most radiologists are eligible providers, meaning that if they meet MU criteria by the deadline, they are eligible for some or all of the $44,000 incentive. In addition, those who do not meet the criteria by 2015 will be hit with penalties," said Emily Crane, KLAS research director, in a statement. "Getting educated and involved with meaningful use can't wait."
Some radiologists are concerned that the current guidelines do not take radiology into consideration, and so as a part of the survey, participants indicated what they felt would be beneficial to radiology. Overall, radiologists felt that clinical decision support (CDS) was important, especially for referring physicians, and saw this as a means to ensure that the correct imaging test is ordered. CDS is also seen as a way to reduce the amount of unnecessary and costly imaging.
On the other hand, radiologists felt that radiation dose tracking and patient engagement were the least beneficial criteria. In follow-up interviews, radiologists indicated that while they feel patients have a right to their images and reports, there was no apparent medical benefit or necessity for them to have electronic access.
"We hope that this feedback from radiologists can serve as a guide for the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT and those in Washington who are currently addressing Stage 2 and Stage 3 guidelines. Radiologists would like guidelines that are more appropriate for their practice of radiology," said Crane.
In addition to the questions formulated by RSNA, KLAS asked questions regarding vendor preparedness to help providers as they work to qualify for MU. Looking at RIS and PACS vendors KLAS found that, on average, 25 percent of respondents felt their vendor was not prepared to help them meet MU requirements.