TY - JOUR
T1 - Utilization of CT and MRI scanning in Taiwan, 2000–2017
AU - Huang, Chung Chien
AU - Effendi, Fransisca Fortunata
AU - Kosik, Russell Oliver
AU - Lee, Wen Jeng
AU - Wang, Li Jen
AU - Juan, Chun Jung
AU - Chan, Wing P.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by a grant from The Radiological Society of the Republic of China (Grant No. 109-RP-01) and Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Objectives: This population-based study aimed to collect, analyze, and summarize the long-term trends in medical imaging use in Taiwan. Methods: A retrospective cohort population-based study of medical imaging usage for the individuals who received care under the National Health Insurance system from 2000 to 2017. CT and MRI utilization rates were determined overall as well as across certain variables including patient age, hospital type, health care type, hospital characteristics, and geographic area. Results: Individuals registered in our health insurance system have received 21,766,745 CT scans and 7,520,088 MRI scans from 2000 to 2017. Annual growth rates for both imaging types were positive over that period, though growth rates have slowed in recent years. The growth rate for CT use was greatest (9–12%) between 2001 and 2004, dropped to 2% in 2005, then generally rose thereafter, reaching 3% in 2017. Similarly, MRI use growth peaked at 24% between 2001 and 2003, dropped to 4% in 2005, then increased in a fluctuating manner, reaching 2% in 2017. Conclusion: Over the past 2 decades, CT and MRI use in Taiwan has increased sharply, especially in the oldest age group (≥ 60 years old), but growth rates have slowed in recent years. Increases in imaging use have corresponded with improved clinical outcomes, including greater life expectancy and reduced mortality rates, though further assessment is required to demonstrate a direct link with imaging. Nevertheless, the better clinical outcomes are also predisposed by the comprehensive care covered by the NHI system.
AB - Objectives: This population-based study aimed to collect, analyze, and summarize the long-term trends in medical imaging use in Taiwan. Methods: A retrospective cohort population-based study of medical imaging usage for the individuals who received care under the National Health Insurance system from 2000 to 2017. CT and MRI utilization rates were determined overall as well as across certain variables including patient age, hospital type, health care type, hospital characteristics, and geographic area. Results: Individuals registered in our health insurance system have received 21,766,745 CT scans and 7,520,088 MRI scans from 2000 to 2017. Annual growth rates for both imaging types were positive over that period, though growth rates have slowed in recent years. The growth rate for CT use was greatest (9–12%) between 2001 and 2004, dropped to 2% in 2005, then generally rose thereafter, reaching 3% in 2017. Similarly, MRI use growth peaked at 24% between 2001 and 2003, dropped to 4% in 2005, then increased in a fluctuating manner, reaching 2% in 2017. Conclusion: Over the past 2 decades, CT and MRI use in Taiwan has increased sharply, especially in the oldest age group (≥ 60 years old), but growth rates have slowed in recent years. Increases in imaging use have corresponded with improved clinical outcomes, including greater life expectancy and reduced mortality rates, though further assessment is required to demonstrate a direct link with imaging. Nevertheless, the better clinical outcomes are also predisposed by the comprehensive care covered by the NHI system.
KW - Computed tomography
KW - Diagnostic imaging
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Magnetic resonance imaging
KW - Utilization
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U2 - 10.1186/s13244-023-01364-2
DO - 10.1186/s13244-023-01364-2
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85147448963
SN - 1869-4101
VL - 14
JO - Insights into Imaging
JF - Insights into Imaging
IS - 1
M1 - 23
ER -