Role of Breast Imaging Radiologists as Advocates for Screening Mammography

Framework for Successful Integration of Health Services Research Into a Breast Imaging Career

Health services research (HSR) is a multidisciplinary field of inquiry that examines how health care is structured, providing valuable data on health care outcomes and delivery. Over the past few decades, a shift in the U.S. health care system toward value-based care has placed a priority on health services topics. Health services research has been central to the evolution of breast imaging over this period, with increased emphasis placed on the following: (1) design of appropriate-use criteria for imaging services; (2) determination of cost-effectiveness of imaging protocols and screening regimens guiding policy; and (3) evaluation of policy related to reimbursement for diagnostic imaging and image-guided procedures. Examples of HSR topics that can be applied directly to breast imaging include evaluation of health care availability and accessibility, analysis of health care use patterns, exploration of patient preferences, assessment of technological innovation, development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines and screening strategies, and examination of health care organization and delivery models. Breast imaging radiologists who perform HSR are uniquely positioned to advocate for patients, to promote transformative health care interventions, and to influence policy changes and public health initiatives in breast imaging through analysis of health care data and translation of their research findings. In this Training and Professional Development article, we aim to provide practical approaches to explore interest in HSR and to describe a framework for successful integration of HSR into a breast imaging career.

Implementing the National Dense Breast Reporting Standard, Expanding Supplemental Screening Using Current Guidelines, and the Proposed Find It Early Act

Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia (DC) have dense breast notification laws that mandate varying levels of patient notification about breast density after a mammogram, and these cover over 90% of American women. On March 10, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule amending regulations under the Mammography Quality Standards Act for a national dense breast reporting standard for both patient results letters and mammogram reports. Effective September 10, 2024, letters will be required to tell a woman her breasts are "dense" or "not dense," that dense tissue makes it harder to find cancers on a mammogram, and that it increases the risk of developing cancer. Women with dense breasts will also be told that other imaging tests in addition to a mammogram may help find cancers. The specific density category can be added (eg, if mandated by a state "inform" law). Reports to providers must include the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System density category. Implementing appropriate supplemental screening should be based on patient risk for missed breast cancer on mammography; such assessment should include consideration of breast density and other risk factors. This article discusses strategies for implementation. Currently 21 states and DC have varying insurance laws for supplemental breast imaging; in addition, Oklahoma requires coverage for diagnostic breast imaging. A federal insurance bill, the Find It Early Act, has been introduced that would ensure no-cost screening and diagnostic imaging for women with dense breasts or at increased risk and close loopholes in state laws.

Community Outreach in Breast Imaging: What Radiologists Can Do to Close the Gap for the Uninsured Population

After implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the uninsured population of the United States decreased significantly. As of 2022, there were approximately 26.4 million uninsured individuals in the United States. The lack of coverage and access to services disproportionally affect minority groups in the country, reflecting the influence of the social determinants of health in their uninsured status. Use of screening mammography, an effective modality that results in early detection of and decreased mortality from breast cancer, was delayed or postponed by women of all races due to lockdowns and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the return to mammographic screening has lagged among minorities, further increasing their disproportionate screening gap. Radiologists-and more specifically breast imagers-must recognize these issues, as people who are uninsured and part of minority groups are diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages and have higher mortality rates, less continuity of care, and overall lower survival. The purpose of this article is to familiarize radiologists with the uninsured population, explain how they are disproportionally affected by breast cancer, and propose strategies that breast imagers can pursue to improve screening access and decrease compliance gaps for this patient population. ©RSNA, 2023 See the invited commentary by Nguyen in this issue. Quiz questions for this article are available through the Online Learning Center.

"Managing Up": Cultivating Relationships With Practice Leaders

"Managing up" for the radiologist means developing and cultivating work relationships to benefit high-level stakeholders and the institution at large, and to maximize one's own effectiveness. Today's breast radiologists are responsible for more than image interpretation and image-guided interventions. Radiologists' roles and responsibilities have evolved to include clinical initiatives, staff development, quality improvement, and administrative tasks where management skills are needed. To be successful in these roles, developing skills to manage up will allow radiologists to be more effective team members. In this article, we discuss tactics to start developing strategies for managing up, including how to understand practice leaders and create meaningful relationships; explain various work style personalities and how to navigate them; describe how to understand oneself, including strengths and weaknesses; and, finally, provide tips on how to begin to cultivate managing up skills.