Prescreening Mammography by Technologists: A Preliminary Assessment

Abstract

We assessed the ability of technologists to accurately classify screening mammograms as either showing negative findings or requiring follow-up. 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. 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. 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.