Turf wars in radiology: Emergency department ultrasound and radiography

In recent years, emergency medicine physicians have made strenuous efforts to take over responsibility for interpreting and billing for ultrasound and conventional x-ray studies performed in emergency departments. This is a battle that radiologists have largely won. The authors explore some of the history of this controversy and the reasons why radiologists still control emergency department imaging.

Key words:  Medical economics , diagnostic radiology , radiology , radiologists , department management , socioeconomic issues