Changes in reporting practices with time when radiographers and radiologists double read screening mammograms

We have previously presented our experience of double reading screening mammograms by radiologists and trained radiographers. Our initial data showed that radiographers more readily detect calcification and smaller cancers compared to radiologists, who more readily detected larger cancers and higher grade tumours. To evaluate whether these differences have persisted with time, we have reviewed the last 4 years' data and compared the first 30,000 screening mammograms double read by radiographer and radiologist to the subsequent 30,000. The radiographers persistently detect malignant calcification more successfully than the radiologists. Differences in all other parameters have reduced. The group of film readers in our unit have not gravitated to a common mid point with time but have changed with time and reduced the differences in detection of all radiographic abnormalities except for calcification. We will present these data in detail and discuss possible reasons for persistent differences between the two groups of readers in detection of malignant calcification.