The performance of breast screening readers in a specificity-focused test set-based assessment scheme in a national breast screening program

Eleni Michalopoulou; Iain T. Darker; Yan Chen

doi:10.1117/12.3004803

29 March 2024 The performance of breast screening readers in a specificity-focused test set-based assessment scheme in a national breast screening program

Eleni Michalopoulou, Iain T. Darker, Yan Chen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12929, Medical Imaging 2024: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment; 1292917 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3004803
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2024, San Diego, California, United States

Conference Poster

Abstract

Breast cancer screening is a critical component of healthcare, engaging over 2.23 million women annually in the UK. The National Health Service Breast Screening Program requires breast screening readers to participate in the PERFORMS scheme for quality assurance and training. This study investigates the potential of a specificity-focused test set within PERFORMS to reduce false positive recalls and enhance readers’ image interpretation skills in England. The specificity set comprised 60 challenging breast screening cases, including 15 malignant and 45 benign/normal cases. Among the 529 participating readers in the pre-specificity (pre-SP) round, post-specificity (post-SP) round, or both, they were categorized as those who underwent the specificity set (n = 317) and those who did not (n = 212). The post-SP recall rate was significantly lower (36.0%) compared to the pre-SP rate (37.7%) (p = 0.000). This decrease was more pronounced in those who undertook the specificity set (-2.7%) than in those who did not (-0.5%) (p = 0.0018). The correct return to screen rate and positive predictive value (PPV) improved in the post-SP set, with rates of 86.4% and 76.0%, respectively, compared to 82.4% and 68.5% in the pre-SP set (p = 0.000). The increase in correct return to screen and PPV was comparable between those who undertook the specificity set and those who did not (p = 0.0933 and p = 0.2515, respectively). In conclusion, integrating a specificity-focused test set within PERFORMS shows promise in positively impacting breast screening reader performance, offering insights for future training and quality assurance enhancements.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Eleni Michalopoulou, Iain T. Darker, and Yan Chen "The performance of breast screening readers in a specificity-focused test set-based assessment scheme in a national breast screening program", Proc. SPIE 12929, Medical Imaging 2024: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, 1292917 (29 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3004803

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available