Influence on screening performance of second reading strategies in two lowvolume programs

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_475F969CFE48
Type
Inproceedings: an article in a conference proceedings.
Publication sub-type
Poster: Summary – with images – on one page of the results of a researche project. The summaries of the poster must be entered in "Abstract" and not "Poster".
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Influence on screening performance of second reading strategies in two lowvolume programs
Title of the conference
International Breast Cancer Screening Network : Biennial Council Meeting 2006
Author(s)
Bulliard J.L., Jemelin C., De Landtsheer J.P., Lepori D., Levi F.
Address
Ottawa, Canada, May 11-12, 2006
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2006
Language
english
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The European Guidelines specify a minimum of 5,000 screening cases to be read yearly by radiologists carrying out second reading in non-centralized programs. This professional requirement is difficult to reach and/or to implement in regional programs covering a sparse population with a high number of participating radiology units, so that alternative blind double reading strategies must be devised. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on breast cancer screening performances of two second reading strategies used in non-centralized, low-volume programs. METHODS: Reading performances in two Swiss regional breast cancer screening programs (cantons of Wallis and Vaud), covering female populations, aged 50-69, of about 31'000 and 72'000 inhabitants were computed and compared. Both programs had similar screening regimens and organizations, but differed with respect to second reading. One setting applied a selective strategy whereby only experienced radiologists performed second reading; the other elicited not to restrict second readers on the basis of their individual screening activity. Analysis included some 140,000 mammograms performed between 1999 and 2005. RESULTS: Overall, screening performances improved with increasing total volume of reading, albeit not in a linear fashion. Regardless of setting, radiologists attained a higher level of screening accuracy when performing second rather than first readings, and incident rather than prevalent screening cases. The effect of a selective, small group of second readers appeared to impact favorably on the false-positive rate and other indicators of screening quality. As the learning curve depends on the number of mammograms read, these distinct strategies may bear different outcome in the long run. Implications and practical issues for low-volume programs are discussed.
Keywords
Switzerland, Performance indicators, Organized mammography screening, Radiologists, Volume of readings
Create date
26/09/2013 10:53
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:53
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