title: Florida mammographer disability training vs needs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is currently no minimum required competency for mammographers regarding imaging patients with physical disabilities. Yet, as disability prevalence rates increase, mammographers interact with more women with disabilities at breast imaging facilities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To better understand the disability training that mammographers receive and desire, and the advice they would extend to colleagues regarding improving the experience when performing mammography on women with disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within the context of a community and academic partnership, in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 14 mammographers practicing in north central Florida. Grounded theory techniques facilitated analysis for major themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extent, content, and delivery of disability training varied among participants. Analysis revealed respondents' personal desires for training focused on positioning to "get the best breast image," while mammographers' advice to colleagues focused on the need to afford patience and respect to the patient. Four identified themes included learning on the job, asking for help, desired training to acquire the best possible image, and advice to other mammographers regarding patience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mammographers value the disability training they receive as a foundation for continued learning on the job. Training should comprise both technical and social aspects of performing mammography on women with disabilities, including positioning, disability etiquette, and disability advocacy.
authors.affiliation: Behavior Science and Community Health Department at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen D S
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vasudevan
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanzone
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Egensteiner
authors.forename: Elena M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Andresen
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hannold
authors.forename: Staci
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Graff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008327:Mammography / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged