title: Patterns of utilization of mammography comparison by physician specialties in 6,000 consecutive mammograms.
abstract: Mammography is regarded as the most important screening test for breast cancer. The combination of physical examination of the breast by a physician and mammography can result in reduced breast cancer mortality. Evidence is mounting that mammography alone can produce similar results. Despite these facts, mammography is underutilized in the United States. In an attempt to define the utilization of mammography in the Ochsner Medical Institutions, New Orleans, Louisiana, the records of 6,000 consecutive patients who underwent mammography were reviewed with respect to the specialty of the physician ordering the test. The ratio of the number of mammograms ordered by each service to the number of eligible patients (women over age 50) visiting that service provided insight into the patterns of utilization of mammography in the Ochsner Clinic. This information will allow for efficient utilization of time and resources in planning continuing education programs geared toward mammographic screening.
authors.affiliation: Ochsner Medical Institutions, Department of Surgery, New Orleans, Louisiana.
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Borgen
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: McKinnon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merritt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002309:Cardiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013502:General Surgery; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013038:Specialization