Mammography image assessment ; validity and reliability of current scheme

Hill, C.; Robinson, L.

Abstract

Mammographers currently score their own images according to criteria set out by Regional Quality Assurance. The criteria used are based on the ‘Perfect, Good, Moderate, Inadequate’ (PGMI) marking criteria established by the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) in their Quality Assurance Guidelines of 20061.

This document discusses the validity and reliability of the current mammography image assessment scheme. Commencing with a critical review of the literature this document sets out to highlight problems with the national approach to the use of marking schemes.

The findings suggest that ‘PGMI’ scheme is flawed in terms of reliability and validity and is not universally applied across the UK. There also appear to be differences in schemes used by trainees and qualified mammographers. Initial recommendations are to be made in collaboration with colleagues within the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), Higher Education Centres, College of Radiographers and the Royal College of Radiologists in order to identify a mammography image appraisal scheme that is fit for purpose.

Citation

Hill, C., & Robinson, L. Mammography image assessment ; validity and reliability of current scheme. Radiography, 21(4), 304-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.07.005

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Deposit Date: Oct 31, 2016
• Journal: Radiography
• Print ISSN: 1078-8174
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 304-307
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.07.005
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2015.07.005