Table 2

Changes in GPs' diagnoses and diagnostic confidence

Original randomisationBetween-group changea
MRI referralOrthopaedic referral
Diagnosis altered, n (%)
 Yes170/279 (61)165/266 (62)χ2 = 0.07,
 No109/279 (39)101/266 (38)P = 0.79
Change in diagnostic confidence, n (%)
 Increased168/264 (64)80/249 (32)χ2 = 51.43,
 No effect77/264 (29)129/249 (52)P<0.001
 Decreased19/264 (7)40/249 (16)
Within-group changebP<0.001P = 0.006

  • ↵a The χ2 test.

  • ↵b The Wilcoxon-signed rank test for within-group change in diagnostic confidence between trial entry and follow-up.