An evaluation of general practitioners' use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN17934656 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17934656 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | PSI03-44 |
- Submission date
- 23/01/2004
- Registration date
- 23/01/2004
- Last edited
- 12/12/2013
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Plain English summary of protocol
Not provided at time of registration
Contact information
Dr Helen Houston
Scientific
Scientific
Department of General Practice
Llanedeyrn Health Centre
Cardiff
CF23 9PN
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)129 20 541 133 |
|---|---|
| Houston@cardiff.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Randomised controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | GP practice |
| Study type | Screening |
| Scientific title | |
| Study objectives | 1. To determine base line data on current use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by general practitioners and its effect on referrals and patient management 2. To develop consensus-based referral guidelines for GPs for the two anatomical sites most frequently requested by GPs 3. To compare two methods of accessing MRI with rates of appropriate scan requests as the main outcome measure 4. To develop education and audit materials with which to disseminate the referral guidelines 5. To evaluate the impact of the two interventions on GP knowledge and appropriateness of scan request 6. To assess the cost effectiveness of the different implementation strategies |
| Ethics approval(s) | Not provided at time of registration |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | GPs' use of MRI scans |
| Intervention | Face to face qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of general practitioners. Data from the interviews were used by a panel of doctors from primary and secondary care to develop guidelines for the appropriate referral of patients for MRI of the knee and of the lumbar spine. General practices were randomised to access MRI by telephone or letter. Referrals were judged by the panel (blind) for appropriateness with the guidelines as criteria. A difference in the proportion of appropriate scan requests before telephone and written access groups was assessed using the chi-square test. Costs of method of access were determined. GP knowledge was assessed immediately before and three months after the intervention by postal questionnaire. Telephone interviews with GPs for all subsequent scan requests provided data on which the panel (again blind) assessed against the guideline criteria. The association between practice, patient and randomisation variables with concordance was assessed using stepwise logistic regression. Clustering effects were accounted for by multi-level modelling. The cost of each intervention was measured. Practices were randomised to receive: a. Educational seminar b. Audit feedback c. Seminar and audit feedback d. None All four groups received guidelines. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | 1. Consensus guidelines produced, feedback from GPs 2. Concordance of requests with guidelines 3. Knowledge of indications and contraindications for MRI 4. Cost of method of access 5. Cost of implementation strategy |
| Secondary outcome measures | No secondary outcome measures |
| Overall study start date | 01/04/1995 |
| Completion date | 01/06/1998 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Not Specified |
| Sex | Not Specified |
| Target number of participants | 150 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 150 general practitioners in 39 practices |
| Key exclusion criteria | No exclusion criteria |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/04/1995 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/06/1998 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- Wales
Study participating centre
Department of General Practice
Cardiff
CF23 9PN
United Kingdom
CF23 9PN
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Record Provided by the NHS R&D 'Time-Limited' National Programme Register - Department of Health (UK)
Government
Government
The Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NL
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)20 7307 2622 |
|---|---|
| dhmail@doh.gsi.org.uk | |
| Website | http://www.doh.gov.uk |
Funders
Funder type
Government
NHS Primary and Secondary Care Interface National Research and Development Programme (UK)
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/05/2002 | Yes | No |
