Status of mammography education and knowledge of radiology residents

PURPOSE: To evaluate breast imaging training and knowledge of radiology residents over a 3-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1992 through 1994, the American College of Radiology (ACR) sponsored a 1-day comprehensive breast imaging seminar, which was attended by 2,249 radiology residents at the 6-week radiologic-pathology course of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. At each course, the residents were asked to complete a demographics survey and identical pre- and post-tests to assess knowledge before and after the seminar. RESULTS: The majority of residents who attended the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology course were in their 2nd or 3rd year of radiology training, and 75% (1,682 of 2,249 residents) responded that they had training in breast imaging before the ACR seminar. There was an increase in the median residency training time devoted to mammography from 4-6 weeks in 1992 to 8-11 weeks in 1994. There was no statistically significant change in the pretest scores over the 3 years, with persistent weaknesses in knowledge about quality control and mammographic technique. There was improvement in short-term knowledge after the ACR seminar. CONCLUSION: Despite increased time spent in breast imaging training in radiology residency programs from 1992 through 1994, there was no statistically significant improvement in the baseline knowledge of residents who attended this course. This 1-day course improved short-term knowledge of breast imaging.