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Physicians

Association Between Physician Age and Imaging Utilization in Emergency Department Abdominal Pain Evaluation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in The Journal of Emergency Medicine found that senior physicians in emergency departments used imaging modalities less frequently than their younger counterparts, despite similar hospital admission and length of stay rates. The research, led by Lauren B. Querin of Mayo Clinic Arizona, analyzed data from 91,922 patient visits over five years and used multivariable logistic regression to assess the relationship between physician age and ordering of abdominal imaging. The study suggested that further research is needed to understand the specific factors contributing to the observed associations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from 91,922 patient visits in emergency departments over a five-year period.
  • Senior physicians (55 years or older) used imaging modalities less frequently than younger physicians, with odds ratios of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.65-0.85) for ordering imaging.
  • Senior physicians had lower odds of 72-hour revisits (0.83, 0.74-0.93) but no significant differences in hospital admission or emergency department length of stay rates.
  • The study suggests that further research is needed to determine the specific features of senior physicians contributing to the observed associations.
  • Laurent B. Querin and colleagues conducted the research at Mayo Clinic Arizona, in collaboration with Nicole R. Hodgson, Wayne A. Martini, Alyssa McGary, and Ryan Allen.

Statistics:

  • 91,922 patient visits were analyzed in the study over a five-year period.
  • Senior physicians (55 years or older) represented 21.4% of the total physicians studied.
  • The study found a significant association between physician age and ordering of abdominal imaging, with an odds ratio of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.65-0.85).
  • The study observed no significant differences in hospital admission rates, with an odds ratio of 1.02 (95% CI, 0.94-1.11).
  • The study found that senior physicians had lower odds of 72-hour revisits, with an odds ratio of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.74-0.93).

Sources:

  • Querin, L. B., Hodgson, N. R., Martini, W. A., McGary, A., Allen, R. (2025). Association Between Physician Age and Imaging Utilization in Emergency Department Abdominal Pain Evaluation. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 72(9), 15-16.
  • NewsRx. Findings in Abdominal Pain Reported from Mayo Clinic Arizona (Association Between Physician Age and Imaging Utilization In Emergency Department Abdominal Pain Evaluation). Health & Medicine Week. June 13, 2025; p 1894.

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