Table 1.
Demographics of participant mammogram readers
| Group 1* | Group 2* | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 22 | 21 |
| Professional Title** | ||
| Advanced Practitioner | 0 | 7 |
| Consultant Radiographer | 0 | 7 |
| Breast Clinician | 0 | 4 |
| Radiologist Associate Specialist | 0 | 1 |
| Consultant Radiologist | 22 | 2 |
| Professional Experience | ||
| Number of years interpreting mammograms: median (range) | 9 (1–22) | 7 (1–28) |
| Number of mammograms interpreted each year: median (range) | 6000 (3000–12000) | 7000 (4000–10000) |
| Participant readers who interpret digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in normal clinical practice | 22 | 15 |
| Number of years interpreting breast MRI: median (range) | 8 (1–25) | N/A |
| Number of full protocol breast MRI scans interpreted each year: median (range) | 135 (30–450) | N/A |
| Total numbers of participant readers who previously attended in person FAST MRI training | 11 | 7 |
*Reader group: group 1 = mammogram readers with experience of fpMRI interpretation in their usual clinical practice, group 2 = mammogram readers with no previous experience of breast MRI interpretation in their clinical practice
**Professional titles in UK: Screening mammograms within the NHS Breast Screening Programme are interpreted by multidisciplinary healthcare professionals trained in mammogram interpretation. Their performance is subject to continuous audit through the UK Breast Screening Information System that produces individual real-life performance data over rolling 3-year periods [38]
“Consultant Radiologist” and “Breast Clinician” are titles held by medical doctors. Consultant Radiologists are registered on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register following Completion of Specialist Training (5 years) with standards and curriculum set by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). The Association of Breast Clinicians launched the Credential in Breast Disease Management for Breast Clinicians, jointly with the RCR, in 2019, to standardise and formalise training for Breast Clinicians across the UK (3-year training programme) [39]
“Advanced Practitioners” and “Consultant Radiographers” are experienced, registered healthcare practitioners, typically mammographers, who have additionally completed specialist training, underpinned by a master’s level award or equivalent to support their professional practice within the NHS [40]