Prescreening mammography by technologists: a preliminary assessment.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the ability of technologists to accurately classify screening mammograms as either showing negative findings or requiring follow-up.


METHODS
In a prospective study, 33 technologists at a central facility and five satellite breast imaging facilities recorded whether mammograms obtained during 3019 examinations showed negative findings or findings that indicated that additional procedures were required. The technologists were not specifically trained for the experiment. The technologists' interpretations were compared with radiologists' interpretations.


RESULTS
Technologists and radiologists agreed in 82% of the cases (77% negative findings and 5% requiring follow-up). Of the 175 cases recommended for follow-up by only the radiologists, 17 were ultimately biopsied and two were found to be malignant.


CONCLUSIONS
Even without undergoing additional training, technologists can perform at reasonable levels of accuracy in classifying screening mammograms. The possibility of using technologists to group cases after the technologists have undergone training is an interesting concept that should be explored further.
Sumkin
Jules H
JH
Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Hospital, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Klaman
Herta M
HM
Graham
Marianne
M
Ruskauff
Theresa
T
Gennari
Rose C
RC
King
Jill L
JL
Klym
Amy H
AH
Ganott
Marie A
MA
Gur
David
D
D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D015588:Observer Variation; D011361:Professional Competence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011871:Radiology