Physicians in certain practice settings may be more prone to prescribe unnecessary tests or referrals, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Researchers analyzed community-based physicians to hospital-based physicians to assess antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infection, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for back pain and headache, radiographs for upper respiratory tract infection and back pain and specialty referrals.
Here are four takeaways:
1. Antibiotic use was similar in both settings.
2. Hospital-based physicians ordered more computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
3. Hospital-based physicians also had more specialty referrals than community-based physicians.
4. The researchers noted, "These findings raise concerns about the provision of low-value care at hospital-associated primary care practices."
