Public transparency Web sites for radiology practices: prevalence of price, clinical quality, and service quality information.

PURPOSE

To assess information regarding radiology practices on public transparency Web sites.

METHODS

Eight Web sites comparing radiology centers' price and quality were identified. Web site content was assessed.

RESULTS

Six of eight Web sites reported examination prices. Other reported information included hours of operation (4/8), patient satisfaction (2/8), American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation (3/8), on-site radiologists (2/8), as well as parking, accessibility, waiting area amenities, same/next-day reports, mammography follow-up rates, examination appropriateness, radiation dose, fellowship-trained radiologists, and advanced technologies (1/8 each).

CONCLUSION

Transparency Web sites had a preponderance of price (and to a lesser extent service quality) information, risking fostering price-based competition at the expense of clinical quality.