Radiology administrators remain optimistic about their future business prospects, according to second-quarter numbers from the Medical Imaging Confidence Index (MICI). Administrator sentiment was strong in most MICI categories, continuing a trend seen in previous surveys.
Administrators have reported growing optimism since the second quarter of 2014, and the current survey is no exception. Most of the MICI categories showed growth over the previous period, and the survey's key composite score remained well above the baseline mark of 100, marking the fourth year in a row that it's been 100 or higher.
MICI is a forward-looking index designed to provide an early view of trends as they develop. It is derived from the responses of imaging directors and hospital managers who are members of the AHRA medical imaging management association. Members of the MICI panel are asked about five key trends typically encountered by radiology administrators and what they expect in these areas in the upcoming quarter. The MICI survey is produced by AHRA and market research firm the MarkeTech Group.
For the second-quarter data, MICI gathered 165 survey participants from across the U.S., with 10% based in the Pacific region, 7% in the Mountain region, 11% in the West North Central region, 22% in the East North Central region, 16% in the Mid-Atlantic region, 14% in the South Atlantic region, 6% in the East South Central region, and 14% in the West South Central region.
Participants were asked to rate their optimism about the five topics, and a single composite score including all five categories was also tabulated. Scores ranged from 0 to 200 and can be interpreted as follows:
- < 50 = extremely low confidence
- 50 to 69 = very low confidence
- 70 to 89 = low confidence
- 90 to 110 = an ambivalent score (neutral)
- 111 to 130 = high confidence
- 131 to 150 = very high confidence
- 150 = extremely high confidence
| MICI Q2 scores by topic | ||
| Topic | Mean score | Interpretation |
| Will grow monthly in diagnostic and interventional radiology | 117 | High confidence |
| Will receive adequate reimbursement from Medicare for diagnostic and interventional imaging | 73 | Low confidence |
| Internal operating and staff costs will remain constant | 134 | Very high confidence |
| Will have access to capital for imaging equipment and IT needs | 95 | Neutral |
| Will maintain/grow as a profit center | 122 | High confidence |
| Composite score across all areas | 107 | Neutral |
