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 estimate the year on year increase of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examinations to be 12.3%, with the designated workforce of radiologists disproportionate to the increase in demand of imaging reporting.

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 non-complex MRI examination attendance (n=3,525) over 12 months. Reviewing 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 further research is needed.

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