The Costs of Radiologic Examinations

Abstract

For over forty years, x-rays have been used in the diagnosis and treatment of human ailments. For more than twenty years, roentgenology has been accepted as a specialty in the practice of medicine. The importance of the x-ray in the diagnosis of disease is apparent in any hospital or clinic. In most large hospitals, more patients are examined in the x-ray department than are admitted to the hospital. It is safe to say that about 65 per cent of all patients admitted to a hospital are, at some time during their stay, examined in the x-ray department. At the present time, there are very few physicians who do not use x-rays in their practice. The importance of a careful history and a careful clinical work-up is admitted by all; but to pass judgment on a patient with gastro-intestinal symptoms or a patient with a chest complaint without the assistance of the roentgenologist is, to say the least, not good medicine. Economically, roentgenology, like all other branches of medicine, is at the crossroads. The Federal Government believes it necessary to build many diagnostic laboratories throughout the country. These laboratories, I have been informed, will be equipped to do all types of diagnostic roentgenology. We might dismiss the idea of the Government's offering all types of medical diagnostic services as a new trend which has entered all walks of business, if it were not for the fact that medical service to the public goes back prior to 1933. Following the World War, patients, as well as physicians, were demanding more and more laboratory and x-ray work. Due to service-connected ailments, it was necessary for the Government to establish many hospitals throughout the country to care for Veterans. As time passed, the Government became more lenient, probably due to pressure from certain organizations, and it was not long before all types of medical and surgical services were offered Veterans, irrespective of their nature, connection, or duration. It was not uncommon for an employed Veteran to enter a Veteran's Hospital for some surgical operation, such as an appendectomy or herniotomy, or for a gastro-intestinal examination, with no cost to the Veteran. As the Veterans became older, the demands for medical and surgical attention increased. With this increase, the service enlarged, and more and more Veterans were cared for. The operation of these hospitals has undoubtedly served as a stimulus to a generous Government pressed on all sides by powerful organized minorities. In consequence of this pressure and the changing times, the anticipated diagnostic clinics follow. While we all favor the careful, efficient medical care of the needy sick, we likewise feel that free care should be reserved for those unable to pay. The next step in the efforts to procure more and better medical service at lower cost was the formation of clinics made up of a group of physicians.