Ordering chest X-rays in Australian general practice.

Data from the BEACH program between 2012–14 were used to examine general practice encounters where chest X-rays were ordered. This included the most common problems associated with chest X-ray ordering and patient characteristics. Changes in ordering between 2004–05 and 2013–14 were also investigated. The rate of chest X-ray ordering between 2004–05 and 2013–14 decreased significantly. In 2012–14, chest X-rays were most often ordered in the management of acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis, cough and pneumonia. Pleurisy/pleural effusion had the highest likelihood of resulting in a chest X-ray order, followed by shortness of breath/dyspnoea and pneumonia.