Do clinicians use the American College of Radiology Appropriateness criteria in the management of their patients?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of the American College of Radiology (ACR) appropriateness criteria by referring physicians during decision making about imaging in the management of their patients. CONCLUSION: There is a low utilization of the ACR appropriateness criteria by clinicians when ordering imaging studies for their patients. The ACR has invested a great deal of resources in these criteria and should therefore be aware of information regarding utilization. Our findings may have implications about how the ACR appropriateness criteria are reviewed, revised, and disseminated.