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Supporting the implementation of breast pathology recommendations: feasibility of a feedback mechanism to
Maria I Torres1, Fleur B Webster, A Michael Bilous
1National Breast Cancer Centre, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
Aims:
The aims of the study were to explore the feasibility, acceptability, impact and cost of a feedback program to pathologists reporting on breast specimens through a BreastScreen Service.
Methods:
The study was conducted at a single BreastScreen NSW Screening and Assessment Service. Pathology reports were audited against the ACN recommendations about pathology reporting [Australian Cancer Network Pathology Working Party. The Pathology Reporting of Breast Cancer: a guide for pathologists, surgeons and radiologists. Sydney: Australian Cancer Network, 1997] during two consecutive periods. Feedback was provided to pathologists at the completion of each audit. A comparison of completeness of pathology reports between audits was undertaken. The Screening and Assessment Service staff and participating pathologists were interviewed to assess acceptability and information about resource allocation.
Results:
The study demonstrated that the feedback mechanism was acceptable to pathologists and staff at the BreastScreen Screening and Assessment Service, and that participation in the study resulted in some improvements in pathology reporting.
Conclusions:
The study demonstrated the feasibility of providing feedback to pathologists about their reporting of breast specimens. However, there were costs to the Service of participating. A way of managing these costs would need to be explored if the feedback mechanism was made a routine BreastScreen procedure.