A self-directed learning intervention for radiographers rating mammographic breast density

Ekpo, E; Wasike, E; Hogg, P; McEntee, M

Abstract

Purpose: Subjective methods of mammographic breast density (MBD) assessment are prone to inter-reader variability. This work aims to assess the impact of a short self-directed experiential learning intervention on radiographers’ reproducibility of MBD assessment.


Method: The study used two sets of images (test and learning intervention) containing left craniocaudal and left mediolateral oblique views. The test set had MBD ratings from VolparaTM and radiologists using the fourth edition Breast Imaging and Data Systems (BI-RADS®). Seven radiographers rated the MBD of the test set before and after a self-directed learning intervention using the percentage descriptors in the fourth edition BI-RADS® Atlas. The inter-reader agreement, agreement between radiographers and VolparaTM as well as radiologist, was assessed using a Weighted Kappa (Kw).


Results: Overall, radiographers’ inter-reader agreement (Kw) was substantial (0.79; 95%CI: 0.70–0.87) before the intervention and almost perfect (0.84; 95%CI: 0.77–0.90) after the intervention. Before the intervention, radiographers demonstrated fair agreement with radiologists (0.24; 95%CI:-0.46–0.61) and VolparaTM (0.24; 95% CI: -0.41–0.59). A fair but slightly improved agreement was also observed between radiographers and radiologists (0.31; 95% CI: -0.33 - 0.64) as well as VolparaTM (0.28; 95% CI: -0.34- 0.61) after the intervention.


Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that a short duration self-directed experiential learning intervention reduces inter-reader differences in MBD classification, but has a negligible impact on improving the agreement between inexperienced and expert readers.

Citation

Ekpo, E., Wasike, E., Hogg, P., & McEntee, M. (2017). A self-directed learning intervention for radiographers rating mammographic breast density. Radiography, 23(4), 337-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2017.05.014

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 27, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jun 13, 2017
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: May 31, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 13, 2018
• Journal: Radiography
• Print ISSN: 1078-8174
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 337-342
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2017.05.014
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2017.05.014
• Related Public URLs: http://www.radiographyonline.com/