Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42061842›Full record

Observational studyJMIR formative research2026

Understanding Collaborative CT and MRI Utilization Through Network Analysis: Retrospective Study Using Administrative Claims Data.

Tomoki Ishikawa, Jumpei Sato, Yasuhiro Morii, Masaru Kitsuregawa, Kazuo Goda, Katsuhiko Ogasawara, Naohiro Mitsutake

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in JMIR formative research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Tomoki IshikawaInstitute for Health Economics and Policy, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-8725-6508
Jumpei SatoInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-6032-1584
Yasuhiro MoriiFaculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.ORCID 0000-0003-1392-3229
Masaru KitsuregawaInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.ORCID 0000-0003-4027-2994
Kazuo GodaInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.ORCID 0000-0003-0618-4157
Katsuhiko OgasawaraFaculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-5474-7861
Naohiro MitsutakeInstitute for Health Economics and Policy, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.ORCID 0000-0003-1809-5426

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundJapan has one of the highest densities of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners globally, yet efficient resource allocation remains a challenge amid demographic shifts and regional health care disparities.

objectiveThis study aimed to develop an analytic framework using network analysis techniques to understand the collaborative use of CT and MRI devices across health care facilities in a Japanese prefecture.

methodsA retrospective observational study was conducted using outpatient receipt data from Japan's National Health Insurance and the Late-Stage Elderly Medical System, covering fiscal years 2016 to 2019. Network analysis techniques were used to identify patterns of shared use among medical institutions. Network graphs with community detection were developed to visualize collaborative relationships, and density and reciprocity metrics were calculated to assess interinstitutional cooperation.

resultsCT examinations increased from 287,782 (2016) to 307,029 (2019), while MRI examinations increased from 107,876 to 115,929 over the same period. Collaborative examinations also increased for both modalities. Network density remained relatively stable (CT: 3.10-3.50×10

conclusionsNetwork analysis revealed structural changes in collaborative CT and MRI use patterns, including declining reciprocity, which suggests a shift toward more unidirectional referral patterns. This analytic framework provides a method for health care planners to assess interinstitutional collaboration and inform resource allocation strategies for shared diagnostic equipment.

Indexed as

Magnetic Resonance ImagingTomography, X-Ray ComputedCooperative BehaviorHumansJapanRetrospective Studiesadministrative datacomputed tomographydiagnostic imaginghealth care resource managementinterinstitutional cooperationmagnetic resonance imagingnetwork analysisshared use

Identifiers

PMID42061842
PMCPMC13153748

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.