Does Breast Imaging Experience During Residency Translate Into Improved Initial Performance in Digital Breast...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Breast Imaging

Background:

• Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an advanced imaging technique for breast cancer detection.
• Assessing the learning curve and performance of radiology trainees with DBT is crucial for effective implementation.
• Varying levels of prior breast imaging experience may influence initial performance in interpreting DBT studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the initial performance of radiology trainees with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT).
• To compare DBT interpretation performance across different trainee groups, including medical students, residents, and fellows.
• To determine if the number of training years impacts initial DBT diagnostic accuracy.

Main Methods:

• A reader study was conducted with 60 unilateral DBT studies (craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views).
• Participants included medical students, radiology residents (junior and senior), non-breast imaging fellows, and breast imaging fellows.
• Performance was assessed using Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity, with fellowship-trained imagers establishing ground truth.

Main Results:

• Area Under the Curve (AUC) values were: medical students (0.569), junior trainees (0.721), senior trainees (0.701), and breast imaging fellows (0.792).
• Initial DBT performance, measured by AUC, was statistically equivalent between junior and senior radiology trainees.
• Breast imaging fellows exhibited the highest sensitivity (0.778) and specificity (0.815), while trainee sensitivities and specificities were comparable.

Conclusions:

• Initial digital breast tomosynthesis performance among radiology residents and non-breast imaging fellows is not dependent on years of training.
• Radiology educators should consider these findings when developing educational curricula and training materials for DBT interpretation.
• Structured training programs may be necessary to bridge the performance gap between trainees and experienced breast imagers.