Dear Imaging Leaders Insider,
Studies have suggested that Medicare patients undergo more downstream diagnostic imaging examinations when initial ultrasound exams in the emergency setting are performed by nonradiologists rather than radiologists -- and radiologists' anecdotal observations appear to agree.
But is this really the case?
In this edition of the Insider, we bring you research from the recent RSNA 2017 meeting that investigated this question. Find out what a team from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute discovered by reading our Insider Exclusive.
After you've finished our featured article, also take a look at what else is going on in the Imaging Leaders Community:
- Are radiologists losing control of musculoskeletal ultrasound? Find out what researchers from the Center for Research on Utilization of Imaging Services (CRUISE) at Thomas Jefferson University have to say on the topic.
- Read why virtual groups may be an option for radiologists participating in Medicare's Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.
- Brush up on the new billing codes that are driving growth for interventional surgical centers.
- Is the job market for radiologists improving? Check out why Radiology Business Solutions founder Daniel Corbett believes the answer is yes.
- Learn why radiologists now use coronary CT angiography more than cardiologists do.
- Discover what another CRUISE research team has to say about the rise of diagnostic imaging use rates.
As always, if you have a comment or report to share about any aspect of diagnostic imaging practice, management, administration, regulation, or financing, I invite you to contact me.
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
