title: Survey of mammography practices.
abstract: Of the 319 radiologists who responded to a survey concerning mammography practices, 50% were employed in a private hospital and 26% in a private office. Film-screen mammography was used most often (54%) followed by xeromammography (30%) and a combination of film-screen and xeromammography (16%). Of the respondents, 62% had changed their method of performing mammography in the last 10 years. Of these, 50% had switched from xeromammography to film-screen, 23% from direct film to film-screen, 15% from direct film to xeromammography, and 6% from film-screen to xeromammography. Mammographic equipment had been purchased by 71% of respondents after 1983. Most respondents (71%) monitored mammography equipment doses, usually at 6- to 12-month intervals. Manual breast examinations were done at the time of mammography at 42% of the facilities, and breast self-examination was taught at 32%. For screening, 87.4% used a two-view examination, 92% required the name of a referring physician to whom the report could be sent, 28% accepted self-referred patients, and only 12% charged a reduced fee for screening. Breast sonography was performed by 53% (93% hand-held vs 7% automated), but none used sonography for screening. Only one respondent reported using thermography; three used light scanning. A need for postgraduate mammography courses for radiologists was indicated by 81%, while 69% recommended technologist courses and 64% recommended 1-week fellowships for radiologists.
authors.affiliation: Iris Cantor Mammography Screening Clinic, Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Bassett
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLelland
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011871:Radiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens; D014984:Xeromammography