FRANKLIN, Tenn. and BOSTON, March 1 MedSolutions (www.medsolutions.com), a leading provider of medical cost management services, has joined with Tufts Health Care Institute and Tufts University School of Medicine to offer a series of free educational webinars on high quality, cost effective medical imaging to physicians and other providers.
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The three-part series is designed to increase physicians' knowledge of appropriate and evidence-based use of high-tech imaging studies, encourage an epidemiological approach to testing, and promote effective communication with patients.
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"We are delighted to partner with a respected institution such as Tufts to share information and insights on the important role evidence-based guidelines can play in the appropriate use of medical imaging," said Gregg Allen, M.D., chief medical officer of MedSolutions. "Research shows up to 36 percent of imaging tests may be medically unnecessary, exposing patients to potentially dangerous levels of radiation and adding billions in avoidable cost. By ensuring patients receive the right test at the right time, physicians can increase the accuracy of diagnosis and timeliness of treatment."
The series focuses on the appropriate use of medical imaging across a variety of patient conditions. The second installment, "Outpatient Abdominal Imaging: Timing and Techniques for Diagnosis," is scheduled for March 9 at 12 pm ET. Presenters Joseph J. Rencic, M.D., an internist and staff physician at Tufts Medical Center, and Samson Munn, M.D., associate radiologist in chief of Tufts Medical Center, will provide information to help primary care physicians evaluate patients with abdominal pain to determine when imaging is required for diagnosis and select the most appropriate imaging modality for the patient's condition.
The first webinar in the series, "Spine Imaging: Timing and Techniques for Lower Back Pain," was held in November. A third installment, planned for the summer of 2010, will focus on emerging studies on MRI breast imaging, cardiac CTs, and PET CTs.
"We are excited to collaborate with MedSolutions to produce an educational offering that addresses this important - yet often overlooked - aspect of medicine," said Rosalie Phillips, MPH, executive director of the Tufts Health Care Institute. "By giving physicians the information and tools to support their decision-making process, we can improve patient safety and reduce unnecessary costs."
The webinars are certified educational offerings approved by the American Medical Association for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(TM). Physicians can register for the webinar and access past lectures at www.thci.org/medsolutions at no charge.
About MedSolutions
Using independently validated savings methodologies, MedSolutions specializes in intelligent cost management of medical services for commercial, Medicare and Medicaid payors. The company maintains management contracts for more than 25 million individuals nationwide. Using robust data, predictive intelligence technology and clinical expertise, the company's innovative solutions extend beyond radiology management to other areas of medical specialty, including oncology, cardiac imaging, sleep diagnostics, ultrasound, emergency room and Premerus(SM) diagnostic accuracy. MedSolutions has been recognized three consecutive years for its call center operations by the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Award. Visit www.medsolutions.com.
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Gregg P. Allen, M.D.
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