Acta Scientific Gastrointestinal Disorders

Research Article Volume 9 Issue 1

Overuse and Appropriateness of Diagnostic Imaging in Resource- Limited Healthcare Settings: A Perspective from Pakistan

Nayab Mustansar*

Department of Radiology, Frontier Crop Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author: Nayab Mustansar, Department of Radiology, Frontier Crop Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan.

Received: December 24, 2025; Published: December 27, 2025

Abstract

Diagnostic imaging has become an integral component of modern medical practice, significantly improving disease detection and patient management. However, the increasing reliance on imaging modalities has also led to concerns regarding overuse and inappropriate utilization, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. Overuse of imaging not only escalates healthcare costs but also exposes patients to unnecessary radiation, delays definitive care, and burdens already stretched radiology services. This article explores the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to inappropriate imaging practices in Pakistan, emphasizing the role of clinical judgment, referral guidelines, and radiologist-led interventions to promote rational imaging use.

Keywords: Imaging Overuse; Appropriateness; Radiation Exposure; Pakistan; Diagnostic Imaging

References

  1. Brink JA and Amis ES. “Image wisely: a campaign to increase awareness about adult radiation protection”. Radiology3 (2010): 601-602.
  2. Levin DC and Rao VM. “Turf wars in radiology: updated evidence on the overutilization of imaging”. Journal of the American College of Radiology5 (2018): 711-715.
  3. European Society of Radiology (ESR). “ESR guidelines on imaging referral and justification”. Insights into Imaging 1 (2019): 1-12.
  4. Smith-Bindman R., et al. “Use of diagnostic imaging studies and associated radiation exposure”. JAMA 22 (2012): 2400-2409.
  5. Pakistan Medical Commission. “Ethical practice and patient safety guidelines in clinical decision-making”. Islamabad (2020).

Citation

Citation: Nayab Mustansar. “Overuse and Appropriateness of Diagnostic Imaging in Resource- Limited Healthcare Settings: A Perspective from Pakistan".Acta Scientific Gastrointestinal Disorders 9.1 (2026): 09-12.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2026 Nayab Mustansar. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.




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