Clinician and patient views regarding imaging in rotator cuff tendinopathy

Rotator cuff tendinopathy is common and burdensome: Shoulder pain affects 15-27% of adults (affecting 1.8 million Australians) and is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint seen by general practitioners (GPs) in Australia. Rotator cuff tendinopathy is the most common cause of shoulder pain and people affected have impairments in work and self-care activities, with 40% having ongoing disability beyond 12 months. Clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements suggest 12 weeks of first line management (activity modification, medication advice, clinician guided exercise) for rotator cuff tendinopathy prior to considering imaging or surgical referral. It has been shown that there are high rates of non-guideline indicated (‘low-value’) imaging (up to 80%) and surgical referral (approximately 20%). This project will explore the clinician and patient views regarding imaging in rotator cuff tendinopathy and identity strategies to reduce 'low-value' imagine. The findings will lead to greater understanding of potential causes of 'low-value' imagine and help to reduce unnecessary imaging in this population.