CD-Based System Helps Physicians Fine-Tune Life-Saving Mammography Skills

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 04 Mar 2009

A self-evaluation educational tool enables physicians to test and improve their skills regarding the detection of tumors and other abnormalities via mammography by allowing them to assess multiple cases in a controlled electronic setting, supplementing their real world experience with case types that they may not have previously experienced.

The American College of Radiology (ACR; Restin, VA, USA) and the New York State Department of Health (Albany, NY, USA) have partnered to distribute 1,500 copies of the College's Mammography Case Review (MCR4) educational CD-ROM free of charge to physicians in approximately 600 ACR-accredited mammography facilities throughout New York State.

"Mammography has undoubtedly served to reduce breast cancer deaths nationwide and is the gold standard for detection of breast cancer. However, mammograms remain one of the most challenging exams for physicians to interpret. The ACR is proud to offer this important tool to help physicians better interpret this extremely important exam which is of paramount importance in the battle against breast cancer,” said Harvey L. Neiman, M.D., FACR, executive director of the ACR.

The CD-based Mammography Case Review provides instant feedback to the user identifying abnormalities that they may have missed (if any) and prepares them to better detect such indications in the future. "Mammography Case Review enables physicians to sharpen their mammography skills on some of the most challenging cases that they may ever encounter and allows any learning curve to take place online instead of on patients,” said Lawrence Davis, M.D., FACR, vice chair and program director, department of radiology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center (New Hyde Park, NY, USA) and chair of the American College of Radiology Education Commission. "This vital training will benefit physicians and their patients throughout New York just as it does nationwide.”

Related Links:
American College of Radiology
New York State Department of Health