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Third installment in webinar series to focus on 'Doing the Right Thing: Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Risk, and Patient Safety'

MedSolutions , a leading provider of medical cost management services, is joining with Tufts Health Care Institute (www.thci.org) and Tufts University School of Medicine (www.tufts.edu/med) to offer a free educational webinar designed to assist primary care physicians in utilizing high-tech imaging studies appropriately.

The webinar, "Doing the Right Thing: Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Risk, and Patient Safety," is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST. Presenters Samson Munn, M.D., associate radiologist in chief of Tufts Medical Center, and Niamh Carroll, M.D., an internist and adult primary care physician at Tufts Medical Center, will provide information to help primary care physicians identify the relative radiation exposure of different imaging modalities and select the most appropriate modality for specific patients and conditions. Participants will also learn to apply tools and techniques, such as provider-based guidelines and insurer-based reviews and incentives, to inform and manage the use of high-tech imaging.

"Research shows that more than 25 percent of CT and MRI scans ordered by primary care physicians are inappropriate(1) – exposing the patient, at least in the case of CT , to potentially harmful radiation while bringing no diagnostic benefit," said Gregg Allen, M.D., chief medical officer of MedSolutions. "By partnering with Tufts to educate physicians about the radiation risks associated with different imaging modalities and encouraging the use of evidence-based guidelines in their selection process, we believe we can limit patient exposure to unnecessary radiation."

The webinar is the third in a series designed to increase physician knowledge of appropriate and evidence-based use of high-tech imaging studies, encourage an epidemiological approach to testing, and promote effective communication with patients. Previous installments, including "Outpatient Abdominal Imaging: Timing and Techniques for Diagnosis," and "Spine Imaging: Timing and Techniques for Lower Back Pain," are available online at no charge.

"We are excited to collaborate with MedSolutions to produce another educational offering focused on this important, yet often overlooked, aspect of medicine," said Rosalie Phillips, MPH, executive director of the Tufts Health Care Institute. "By giving physicians the information and tools to support their decision-making process, we can improve patient safety and reduce unnecessary costs."

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians can register for the webinar and access past lectures at www.thci.org/medsolutions.

Source: MedSolutions