Although computerized decision support for imaging is often recommended for optimizing computed tomography (CT) use, no studies have evaluated emergency physicians’ (EPs’) preferences regarding computerized decision support in the emergency department (ED).
This article summarizes an investigation to determine if EPs view overutilization as a problem, if they want decision support, and if so, the kinds of support they prefer. The results of the study showed that emergency physicians view overutilization of CT scans as a problem with potential for improvement in the ED and would like to have more information to discuss risks with their patients. EPs are interested in all types of imaging decision support proposed to help optimize imaging
ordering in the ED and to reduce radiation to their patients.