The Clinical Imaging Board (CIB) in the U.K. does not support self-referral for MRI exams or other diagnostic imaging, according to a position statement issued on 11 August.
An appropriate formal referral needs to be generated by a registered healthcare professional following the appropriate clinical assessment, the CIB noted. The result of the study, following its radiological interpretation, must then be sent to the referring professional so the result can be interpreted in the context of the overall clinical assessment.
This is important as any imaging study can give rise to unexpected findings, which may be of no consequence or may have serious implications, the statement continued.
The injection of MRI contrast is contraindicated in certain circumstances, and therefore requires proper clinical assessment prior to referral, vetting, and undertaking such examination, it said.
The CIB was established in September 2013 by the Royal College of Radiologists, the Society and College of Radiographers, and the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.
