Effects of a program to train radiologic technologists to identify abnormalities on mammograms.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess whether radiologic technologists could be successfully trained to identify abnormalities on mammograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight radiologic technologists from two different institutions took a pretest, underwent an 8-hour training course followed by a period of preceptorship, and then took a posttest. Seven radiologists also took the pretest and posttest, which consisted of evaluating 1,238 two-view screening examinations, including 318 biopsy-proved cancers. RESULTS: Overall, technologists at institution 1 had lower sensitivity (78%) at the pretest, which improved at the posttest (90%). Technologists at institution 2 had lower specificity at the pretest (44%), which improved on the posttest (64%). Hypothetical pairing of radiologists and technologists with use of posttest results revealed an increase in sensitivity (median increase, 12% at institution 1 and 19% at institution 2). CONCLUSION: Formalized training successfully modified the technologists' skills. Radiologic technologists could be used to increase the number of breast cancers detected at screening mammography.