Proficiency test for screening mammography: results for 117 volunteer Italian radiologists.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the performance of a large sample of Italian radiologists undergoing a proficiency test for screening mammography.


METHODS
Evaluation of performance indicators according to reference standards determined by a panel of experts (sensitivity (reference standard > or = 80%), recall rate (reference standard < or = 15%)).


METHODS
117 Italian radiologists of varying experience (years of practice 0.5-18, average 5.9; mammograms read 500-51,000, average 13,000), all currently reporting clinical mammography and planning to take part in screening in the near future.


RESULTS
Eighty four of 117 (72%) radiologists reached the standard for sensitivity, 88 (75%) reached the standard for recall rate, and only 59 (50%) reached both standards and passed the proficiency test. The probability of passing the test was significantly correlated with mammographic practice (p = 0.015), mammograms read (p = 0.024), and mammograms read/year (p = 0.043).


CONCLUSIONS
The performance of a large sample of Italian radiologists currently reporting clinical mammography was disappointing, indicating the need for proper training of at least 50% of the tested subjects. When implementing organised screening the health authority should set up a proper process for training and accrediting radiologists, and a proficiency test should be part of such a process.
Ciatto
S
S
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Centro per lo Studio e la Prevenzione Oncologica, Florence, Italy.
Ambrogetti
D
D
Catarzi
S
S
Morrone
D
D
Rosselli Del Turco
M
M
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity