Dr Trevor Mudge, AMA Vice President, Radio ABC 666 2CN
NEWSREADER: The Australian Medical Association has backed a call for GPs to be allowed to order magnetic resonance imaging tests for their patients. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare study has found one in thirteen consultations results in a scan or X-ray.
The Institute says however, Medicare only provides rebates for MRIs or to buy specialists, leaving GPs unable to use an effective test in detecting heart disease.
AMA Deputy President Dr Trevor Mudge says the MRI restriction is not in the interests of doctors and their patients.
MUDGE: Yes, it's a pity to the poor general practitioner. He's under a lot of pressure these days. The medico-legal pressure to get an early diagnosis and to get is done accurately and the pressure from the Government and the Health Insurance Commission to not use too many tests. You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't very often.
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