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Hubbard RA, Lange J, Zhang Y, Salim BA, Stroud JR, Inoue LYT. Using semi-Markov processes to study timeliness and tests used in the diagnostic evaluation of suspected breast cancer. Stat Med 2016; 35:4980-4993. [PMID: 27439856 PMCID: PMC5096962 DOI: 10.1002/sim.7055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Diagnostic evaluation of suspected breast cancer due to abnormal screening mammography results is common, creates anxiety for women and is costly for the healthcare system. Timely evaluation with minimal use of additional diagnostic testing is key to minimizing anxiety and cost. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian semi-Markov model that allows for flexible, semi-parametric specification of the sojourn time distributions and apply our model to an investigation of the process of diagnostic evaluation with mammography, ultrasound and biopsy following an abnormal screening mammogram. We also investigate risk factors associated with the sojourn time between diagnostic tests. By utilizing semi-Markov processes, we expand on prior work that described the timing of the first test received by providing additional information such as the mean time to resolution and proportion of women with unresolved mammograms after 90 days for women requiring different sequences of tests in order to reach a definitive diagnosis. Overall, we found that older women were more likely to have unresolved positive mammograms after 90 days. Differences in the timing of imaging evaluation and biopsy were generally on the order of days and thus did not represent clinically important differences in diagnostic delay. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Hubbard
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A..
| | - J Lange
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, U.S.A
| | - Y Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, U.S.A
| | - B A Salim
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A
| | - J R Stroud
- McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, U.S.A
| | - L Y T Inoue
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A
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Lee CI, Bogart A, Hubbard RA, Obadina ET, Hill DA, Haas JS, Tosteson ANA, Alford-Teaster JA, Sprague BL, DeMartini WB, Lehman CD, Onega TL. Advanced Breast Imaging Availability by Screening Facility Characteristics. Acad Radiol 2015; 22:846-52. [PMID: 25851643 PMCID: PMC4465038 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2015.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To determine the relationship between screening mammography facility characteristics and on-site availability of advanced breast imaging services required for supplemental screening and the diagnostic evaluation of abnormal screening findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed data from all active imaging facilities across six regional registries of the National Cancer Institute-funded Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium offering screening mammography in calendar years 2011-2012 (n = 105). We used generalized estimating equations regression models to identify associations between facility characteristics (eg, academic affiliation, practice type) and availability of on-site advanced breast imaging (eg, ultrasound [US], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and image-guided biopsy services. RESULTS Breast MRI was not available at any nonradiology or breast imaging-only facilities. A combination of breast US, breast MRI, and imaging-guided breast biopsy services was available at 76.0% of multispecialty breast centers compared to 22.2% of full diagnostic radiology practices (P = .0047) and 75.0% of facilities with academic affiliations compared to 29.0% of those without academic affiliations (P = .04). Both supplemental screening breast US and screening breast MRI were available at 28.0% of multispecialty breast centers compared to 4.7% of full diagnostic radiology practices (P < .01) and 25.0% of academic facilities compared to 8.5% of nonacademic facilities (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Screening facility characteristics are strongly associated with the availability of on-site advanced breast imaging and image-guided biopsy service. Therefore, the type of imaging facility a woman attends for screening may have important implications on her timely access to supplemental screening and diagnostic breast imaging services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph I Lee
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 825 Eastlake Ave East, Seattle, WA 98109; Department of Health Services, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington.
| | - Andy Bogart
- Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Eniola T Obadina
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 825 Eastlake Ave East, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Deirdre A Hill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cancer Research and Treatment Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Jennifer S Haas
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Harvard Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anna N A Tosteson
- Department of Medicine, Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Jennifer A Alford-Teaster
- Department of Medicine, Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Department of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Brian L Sprague
- Department of Surgery and Office of Health Promotion Research, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Wendy B DeMartini
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Constance D Lehman
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 825 Eastlake Ave East, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Tracy L Onega
- Department of Medicine, Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Department of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire
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Diagnostic imaging and biopsy pathways following abnormal screen-film and digital screening mammography. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2013; 138:879-87. [PMID: 23471650 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-013-2466-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The transition from screen-film to digital mammography may have altered diagnostic evaluation of women following a positive screening examination. This study compared the use and timeliness of diagnostic imaging and biopsy for women screened with screen-film or digital mammography. Data were obtained from 35,321 positive screening mammograms on 32,087 women aged 40-89 years, from 22 breast cancer surveillance consortium facilities in 2005-2008. Diagnostic pathways were classified by their inclusion of diagnostic mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and biopsy. We compared time to resolution and frequency of diagnostic pathways by patient characteristics, screening exam modality, and radiology facility. Between-facility differences were evaluated by computing the proportion of mammograms receiving follow-up with a particular pathway for each facility and examining variation in these proportions across facilities. Multinomial logistic regression adjusting for age, calendar year, and facility compared odds of follow-up with each pathway. The median time to resolution of a positive screening mammogram was 10 days. Compared to screen-film mammograms, digital mammograms were more frequently followed by only a single diagnostic mammogram (46 vs. 36 %). Pathways following digital screening mammography were also less likely to include biopsy (16 vs. 20 %). However, in adjusted analyses, most differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.857 for mammography only; p = 0.03 for biopsy). Substantial variability in diagnostic pathway frequency was seen across facilities. For instance, the frequency of evaluation with diagnostic mammography alone ranged from 23 to 55 % across facilities. Differences in evaluation of positive digital and screen-film screening mammograms were minor, and appeared to be largely attributable to substantial variation between radiology facilities. To guide health systems in their efforts to eliminate practices that do not contribute to effective care, we need further research to identify the causes of this variation and the best evidence-based approach for follow-up.
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Huang W, Tudorica LA, Li X, Thakur SB, Chen Y, Morris EA, Tagge IJ, Korenblit ME, Rooney WD, Koutcher JA, Springer CS. Discrimination of benign and malignant breast lesions by using shutter-speed dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging. Radiology 2011; 261:394-403. [PMID: 21828189 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.11102413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the accuracy of the shutter-speed approach compared with standard approach dynamic contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging pharmacokinetic analysis for breast cancer diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board and was HIPAA compliant. Informed consent was obtained from 89 high-risk women (age range, 28-83 years) who had 92 suspicious lesions with negative findings at mammography (but visible at MR imaging). Each underwent a research dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging examination just prior to a clinical MR imaging-guided interventional procedure. Tumor region of interest (ROI) averaged and (for some) pixel-by-pixel dynamic contrast-enhanced time-course data, together with mean arterial input function, were subjected to serial standard and shutter-speed approach analyses to extract pharmacokinetic parameters, including rate constant for passive contrast reagent transfer between plasma and interstitium (K(trans)) and interstitial space volume fraction, or v(e). Pathologic findings were used as reference standards. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed with receiver operating characteristic analyses. RESULTS The pathologic analyses revealed 20 malignant and 72 benign lesions. Positive predictive value of the institutional clinical breast MR imaging protocol was 22%. At 100% sensitivity, ROI-averaged shutter-speed approach K(trans) had significantly (P = .008) higher diagnostic specificity than standard approach K(trans): 86.1% versus 77.8%. The difference in the ROI-averaged K(trans) parameter value, or ΔK(trans) (≡ K(trans) [shutter-speed approach] - K(trans) [standard approach]), had even higher specificity (88.9%). Combined use of ROI analysis and pixel-by-pixel mapping of ΔK(trans) achieved 98.6% specificity at 100% sensitivity. CONCLUSION The use of the shutter-speed dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging method has the potential to improve breast cancer diagnostic accuracy and reduce putatively unnecessary biopsy procedures that yield benign pathologic findings. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.11102413/-/DC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- W. M. Keck Foundation High-Field MRI Laboratory-Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Carney PA, Geller BM, Sickles EA, Miglioretti DL, Aiello Bowles EJ, Abraham L, Feig SA, Brown D, Cook AJ, Yankaskas BC, Elmore JG. Feasibility and satisfaction with a tailored web-based audit intervention for recalibrating radiologists' thresholds for conducting additional work-up. Acad Radiol 2011; 18:369-76. [PMID: 21193335 PMCID: PMC3034778 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2010.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2010] [Revised: 10/18/2010] [Accepted: 10/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To examine the feasibility of and satisfaction with a tailored web-based intervention designed to decrease radiologists' recommendation of inappropriate additional work-up after a screening mammogram. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed a web-based educational intervention designed to reduce inappropriate recall. Radiologists were randomly assigned to participate in an early intervention group or a late (control) intervention group, the latter of which served as a control for a 9-month follow-up period, after which they were invited to participate in the intervention. Intervention content was derived from our prior research and included three modules: 1) an introduction to audit statistics for mammography performance; 2) a review of data showing radiologists' inflated perceptions of medical malpractice risks related to breast imaging, and 3) a review of data on breast cancer risk among women seen in their practices. Embedded within the intervention were individualized audit data for each participating radiologists obtained from the national Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. RESULTS Seventy-four radiologists (37.8%; 74/196) consented to the intervention, which was completed by 67.5% (27/40) of those randomized to the early intervention group and 41.2% (14/34) of those randomized to the late (control) group. Thus, a total of 41 (55%) completed the intervention. On average, three log-ins were used to complete the program (range 1-14), which took approximately 1 hour. Ninety-five percent found the program moderately to very helpful in understanding how to calculate basic performance measures. Ninety-three percent found viewing their own performance measures moderately to very helpful, and 83% reported it being moderately to very important to learn that the breast cancer risk in their screening population program was lower than perceived. The percentage of radiologists who reported that the risk of medical malpractice influences their recall rates dropped from 36.3% preintervention to 17.8% after intervention with a similar drop in perceived influence of malpractice risk on their recommendations for breast biopsy (36.4 to 17.3%). More than 75% of radiologists answered the postintervention knowledge questions correctly, and the percent of time spent in breast imaging did not appear to influence responses. The majority (>92%) of participants correctly responded that the target recall rate in the United States is 9%. The mean self-reported recall rates were 13.0 for radiologists spending <40% time in breast imaging and 14.9% for those spending >40% time spent in breast imaging, which was highly correlated with their actual recall rates (0.991; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Radiologists who begin an internet-based tailored intervention designed to help reduce unnecessary recall will likely complete it, although only 55% who consented to the study actually undertook the intervention. Participants found the program useful in helping them understand why their recall rates may be elevated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Carney
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA.
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Carney PA, Kettler M, Cook AJ, Geller BM, Karliner L, Miglioretti DL, Bowles EA, Buist DS, Gallagher TH, Elmore JG. An assessment of the likelihood, frequency, and content of verbal communication between radiologists and women receiving screening and diagnostic mammography. Acad Radiol 2009; 16:1056-63. [PMID: 19442539 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2009.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2009] [Revised: 02/18/2009] [Accepted: 02/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Research on communication between radiologists and women undergoing screening and diagnostic mammography is limited. We describe community radiologists' communication practices with patients regarding screening and diagnostic mammogram results and factors associated with frequency of communication. MATERIALS AND METHODS We received surveys from 257 radiologists (70% of those eligible) about the extent to which they talk to women as part of their health care visit for either screening or diagnostic mammograms, whether this occurs if the exam assessment is positive or negative, and how they use estimates of patient risk to convey information about an abnormal exam where the specific finding of cancer is not yet known. We also assessed characteristics of the radiologists to identify associations with more or less frequent communication at the time of the mammogram. RESULTS Two hundred and forty-three radiologists provided complete data (95%). Very few (<6%) reported routinely communicating with women when screening mammograms were either normal or abnormal. Fewer than half (47%) routinely communicated with women when their diagnostic mammograms were normal, whereas 77% often or always communicated with women when their diagnostic exams were abnormal. For positive diagnostic exams, female radiologists were more likely to be frequent communicators compared to males (87.1%-72.8%; P=.02) and those who spend 40%-79% of their time in breast imaging (94.6%) were more likely to be frequent communicators compared to those who spend less time (67.2%-78.9%; P=.02). Most radiologists convey risk information using general rather than numeric statements (57.7% vs. 28.5%). CONCLUSIONS Radiologists are most likely to convey information about diagnostic mammographic findings when results are abnormal. Most radiologists convey risk information using general rather than numeric statements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Carney
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Mail Code: FM, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Back to the Beginning. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2007. [DOI: 10.2214/ajr.06.1635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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