Abstract
ObjectivesThis pilot study aimed to characterize and compare radiographers’ mammography practice, including quality control and continuous professional development in five European countries.MethodsOnline survey was performed to collect data regarding participants’ profile, institution’s profile, mammography practice, quality control and continuous professional development. The questionnaire was sent to clinical radiographers working in Estonia, Finland, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland. Descriptive statistical and subgroup analyzes were performed.ResultsThe amount of returned questionnaires was 140. Most respondents were female (92%), having radiography bachelor. The majority (89%) of radiographers was working with full-field digital mammography. The majority (97%) of mammography images were acquired using AEC, and half of the radiographers were using dose saving programmes suggested by the manufacturers. The most typical (50%) compression force ranged from 8 to 11 kg. Part of the radiographers (44%) did not know if their practice followed specific guidelines. The most challenging tasks in mammography identified by radiographers were patient positioning (86%), coping with pain (88%), managing anxiety (83%) and imaging breast implants (71%). The majority (88%) of the respondents undertook continuous professional development activities.ConclusionsThe mammography practice varies across the five countries. We found country-specific traits related to mammography image acquisition, patient-centered care and quality management procedures. The lack of evidence-based knowledge suggests the importance of well-designed studies on these topics. The variability found in this pilot study encourages radiographers to question their own practice and teachers to review and revise the training programmes. Validation in larger studies including more countries is needed.
Highlights
No precise response rate could be calculated for Estonia and Switzerland as there exists no exhaustive list of radiographers performing mammography for these countries [27]
The link to the questionnaire was sent to mammography departments, and in Switzerland, it was available on social media
The number of radiographers invited to participate in this pilot study could not be gathered afterwards and had to be estimated (Table 1)
Summary
Richli Meystre et al Insights into Imaging (2019) 10:31 indicators are supposed to limit the variability and increase the quality and personalized care [3,4,5] This applies to mammography where high-quality mammograms are crucial for the success of breast pathology detection and for the success of breast cancer screening programmes [6,7,8,9,10,11]. Several mammography guidelines are available side by side, showing slight differences in recommendations related to quality assurance procedures and quality control tests [18, 19] as well as to training activities for the concerned healthcare staff
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