Background
: MRI, being the latest diagnostic technique, is drawing interest from radiologists and clinical physicians. Its use is increasing day by day. In Korea MRI is usually useful in a general hospital. It is recently reported that primary physicians are increasing usefulness of MRI. This trend affect significantly Health Care System. Especially, cost and effectiveness is a matter of concern. In Korea it is absent report of usefulness pattern of Magnetic Resonance Imaging by primary care physicians. This paper examines primary care physicians knowledge, attitudes, and patterns of utilization about MRI.

Methods : From January 1,1994 to May 30,1994, of the registered 338 members of the Korean Association of Family Medicine Physicians in the Pusan, We choose 240 doctors of private clinics to be a part of our study. Questionaires were mailed to family medicine physicians. Our questionaires included 10 items of family medicine physicians kowledge, attitudes, and patterns of utilization about MRI.

Results : In or study 43.8% replied, and of those that replied 93 were men(88.6%), 12 were women(11.4%) and the mean age was 56.5 years old. 41.9% of the respondents cited that cost was the greatest factor that caused hesistancy to order an MRI as a diagnostic tool for patients. 42.5% of the respondents cited that are well known about MRI. 39% of the respondents cited that my unfamiliarity affects ordering of MRI. 41% of respondents felt that the usefulness of MRI was very important in their practice. Many respondents are not commentted about cost of estimates of MRI. 10.5% of respondents cited that 100,000won per MRI was the most reasonable price. 58.1% of respondents had MRI scans in medical practice and referred patients for MRI. The head region especially, 39.3%, the most number of scans had been taken.

Conclusion : About half of respondents of this paper indicated that MRI was useful to their practice. The cost problem causes hesistency of the ordering of an MRI. It is exhibited that family medicine physicians who made greater use of MRI are more well known about MRI and have positive attitude.