Before requesting an imaging investigation, the referring doctor must ask him/herself the following questions:
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Have I taken a history, performed a physical examination and come to a provisional clinical diagnosis? (the significance of the result of a test cannot be assessed without a pre-test probability of the disease being tested for)
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Is imaging indicated?
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Am I duplicating recent tests?
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Will it change my diagnosis?
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Will it affect my management?
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Will it do more harm than good?
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If imaging is indicated, is a test that does not employ IR a feasible option (Ultrasound or MRI)?
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If an imaging investigation is required, have I defined the clinical problem adequately on the request form