In 2023, nonhospital sites faced more competition compared with hospital-based facilities for oncology-related diagnostic imaging scans, according to IMV’s recently published 2023 Oncology in Diagnostic Imaging Market Outlook Report.

For the future outlook factor “Competition with other imaging providers in our area is reducing the number of oncology-related patients scanned at our facility,” nonhospital sites gave a 3.2 out of 5 rating (with 5 indicating very high importance) compared with a 2.7 out of 5 rating for hospital sites – results that indicate nonhospital sites face more competition for oncology-related imaging patients compared with hospital sites. In addition, for the factor “Our current imaging scanner technology meets our clinical and throughput needs for oncology-related patients,” nonhospital sites gave a 4.1 out of 5 rating, compared with hospital sites, which registered a 3.7 out of 5 rating. This result suggests that nonhospital sites are less inclined to expand their diagnostic imaging capacity to perform more oncology-related imaging scans compared to hospital site counterparts.

Future Outlook Factor	Hospital Site Rating	Non-Hospital Site Rating
“Competition with other imaging providers in our area is reducing the number of oncology-related patients scanned at our facility”	2.7	3.2
“Our current imaging scanner technology meets our clinical and throughput needs for oncology-related patients”	3.7	4.1

In 2023, 41% to 50% of sites indicated that they expected oncology-related imaging procedures for CT, MRI, PET, and mammography to increase in 2024 compared to 2023, with respondents noting the primary reason for the increase in each modality being an increased number of orders from referring physicians. According to the survey, the top three types of physicians referring patients for oncology-related imaging scans are medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and primary care physicians. The top reason for referring an oncology patient to imaging was “Patient referred to imaging by a physician based on symptoms” (indicated by 73% of sites rating this reason at one or two in importance).

With increased oncology-related patient volumes and a variety of modalities to choose from for imaging scans, the mix of exams between modalities as well as the location where the scans are performed are key areas to follow.

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Davin Korstjens is a Senior Market Research Program Manager at IMV Medical Information Division, part of Science and Medicine Group.

IMV’s 2023 Oncology in Diagnostic Imaging Market Outlook Report explores market trends related to oncology-related diagnostic imaging exams for CT, MRI, PET, SPECT, C-Arm, Mammography, X-Ray and Ultrasound exams in U.S. hospital and outpatient locations. The report was published in December 2023 and is based on responses from 205 radiology administrators and technicians who participated in IMV’s nationwide survey from July – October 2023. Vendors covered in this report include Bayer, Bracco, Canon, Carestream, Fujifilm, GE, Guerbet, Hologic, Philips, Samsung, Siemens, Shimadzu. 

For information about purchasing IMV Market Outlook Reports, visit the corporate website at https://imvinfo.com/ or call 703-778-3080 ext. 1033 to speak with a representative. In addition to the report, all purchases will include a complimentary recording of an executive summary presentation of findings conducted by IMV’s Senior Program Manager.

Disclosure: IMV Medical Information Division is a sister company of AuntMinnie.com.