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. 2019 Mar 13;10(1):31.
doi: 10.1186/s13244-019-0711-0.

Characterization of radiographers' mammography practice in five European countries: a pilot study

Nicole Richli Meystre  1 , Anja Henner  2 , Cláudia Sà Dos Reis  3 , Bergliot Strøm  4 , José A Pires Jorge  5 , Tiina Kukkes  6 , Eija Metsälä  7
Affiliations

Characterization of radiographers' mammography practice in five European countries: a pilot study

Nicole Richli Meystre et al. Insights Imaging. .

Abstract

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to characterize and compare radiographers' mammography practice, including quality control and continuous professional development in five European countries.

Methods: Online 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.

Results: The 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.

Conclusions: The 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.

Keywords: Challenges; Mammography; Professional practice; Quality control; Radiographer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use, which may be made of the information contained therein. The authors declare that they have no competing interests

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Types of mammography equipment used by participants per country
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Criteria used by radiographers to assess the quality of clinical mammography images
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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