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

Abstract

To assess whether radiologic technologists could be successfully trained to identify abnormalities on mammograms. 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. 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). Formalized training successfully modified the technologists' skills. Radiologic technologists could be used to increase the number of breast cancers detected at screening mammography.