Survey of physicians' attitudes about risks and benefits of chest computed tomography

Abstract

To investigate physicians' use of computed tomography (CT) of the chest and their attitudes regarding the risks and benefits of chest CT, we conducted a nationwide survey of 1,000 board certified physicians from several specialties of medicine, using a self-administered mail questionnaire. Three hundred thirteen surveys were completed. Overall, CT ordering practices varied with specialty. While the majority of physicians believed that CT provided new information (64%) and influenced patient management (62%), fewer physicians (30%) perceived that CT improved patient outcome. More than 90% of physicians either did not know or significantly underestimated the degree of radiation associated with CT (equivalent to 100 posteroanterior chest radiographs). We conclude that, given the paucity of prospective controlled trials establishing clear indications for the use of chest CT, physicians across all specialties should give careful consideration to the anticipated benefits and potential risks of chest CT before using this test.