An economic evaluation of introducing a skills mix approach to CT head reporting in clinical practice

Abstract

Please cite this publication as follows:Lockwood, P. (2016)

Does radiography advanced practice improve patient outcomes and health service quality? A systematic review

“…The majority of studies (n 5 7) focused on advanced radiography practice within the UK healthcare system, while two studies reflected North American practice (USA and Canada). The advanced practice activities considered were radiographer reporting; [32][33][34][35] leading patient review clinics; 36,37 and barium enema examination. 38 Two articles considered the generic attributes of an advanced practice role per se, with a view to service efficiencies.…”

“…39,40 The articles were generally considered to be of low-to-moderate quality, evaluating advanced practice activities within a single centre and providing limited robust methodological information required to confirm study quality. With respect to the WHO quality dimensions, 29 six studies considered cost reduction; 32,33,35,[38][39][40] three studies considered reduction in patient morbidity; [32][33][34] two studies considered reduction in time to treatment; 33,34 and two studies considered patient satisfaction. 36,37 No studies considered or reported data relating to time to diagnosis, time to recovery or patient mortality.…”

“…Interestingly, the majority of studies reviewed addressed the efficiency domain of service quality, with six studies 32,33,35,[38][39][40] considering the potential cost effectiveness of advanced practice. In contrast, only two studies 36,37 considered the acceptable domain and evaluated patient satisfaction, with an intervention undertaken by advanced practice radiographers.…”

“…However, all studies demonstrated that the implementation of radiographer reporting as an advanced practice activity had the potential to reduce service costs without compromising service quality. Importantly, opportunities for cost reduction identified by Brealey et al 32 and Lockwood 35 were predominantly as a consequence of the hourly earnings differential between radiographers and radiologists calculated as part of the role substitution model presented. As a result, the longterm potential for continued cost reduction in these models is limited by the number of reporting radiographers employed and volume and distribution of reporting workload.…”

Exploring the Benefits of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reporting by Radiographers: A UK Perspective

“…The societal cost/benefit to patients from integrating the new intervention could potentially improve reporting services and faster diagnosis. Evidence from studies in XRay 578,589,5960,601,612 CT 623,634 , ultrasound 623 and magnetic resonance imaging 623 support achievable increases in reporting turnaround times. The influence of introducing system efficiencies in reporting enhances patient treatment and management 578,645,656,667 which improves quality of care and patient satisfaction.…”