Table 3

Selected investigations for the RCT clinical vignette

Reason for requesting investigationPlain radiograph shoulder (n%)Blood tests (n%)USS shoulder (n%)Plain radiograph neck (n%)MRI shoulder (n%)MRI neck (n%)
To confirm the diagnosis59 (24)8 (5)83 (54)5 (24)11 (55)0
To exclude other diagnoses125 (52)154 (90)5 (3)9 (43)2 (10)2 (50)
To guide treatment option32 (13)3 (2)32 (21)2 (10)00
To decide whether to refer on4 (2)07 (5)2 (10)5 (25)1 (25)
More than one reason22 (9)7 (4)27 (18)3 (14)2 (10)1 (25)
Total24217215421204
  • RCT, rotator cuff tendinopathy; USS, ultrasound scan.