Multi-disciplinary research can be more than parallel-disciplinary research: the case of GPs' use of magnetic resonance imaging.

Fam Pract · 1999

other · Level V

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to show how in multi-disciplinary research data collected to meet the needs of one discipline can provide information of value to another. METHODS: Using the critical incident technique, 25 GPs were interviewed about recent scans requested for patients with knee and lumbar spine complaints. Transcripts of the interviews were scrutinized from both a medical and an economic perspective. RESULTS: Five key economic issues where further research is needed were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The total value of the information provided by multi-disciplinary research may exceed the sum of the information collected to meet the requirements of the individual disciplines.