Radiography最新文献

{"title":"Case study research: The contextual approach to understanding contemporary radiography practice","authors":"M.A. Taylor ,&nbsp;F.E. Muir","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103144","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103144","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The aim of this article is to describe case study research (CSR) and illustrate its potential as a useful research approach in radiographic research and clinical practice.</div></div><div><h3>Key findings</h3><div>While this methodology has long been established in educational research, in areas such as learning environments and teaching practice, it is increasingly being adopted in applied healthcare research. However, it does not appear to be a common approach in radiography research. The application of CSR is explored through an illustrative example and a situated perspective, highlighting the insights of a radiographer sonographer, drawn from their own experience of conducting a primary research study.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CSR provides a structured and systematic framework especially useful to understand multifaceted problems within clinical practice that cross the boundaries of the interprofessional healthcare systems in which radiographers characteristically collaborate. It can provide a flexible framework to explore complex problems and interrogate a case (phenomenon) in-depth, within its contemporary real-life context.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>With its emphasis on applied contexts and the integration of reflective practice, theory, and observation, CSR is particularly well-suited to addressing research questions emerging from complex radiography environments. This approach not only enhances contemporary clinical insights but may also provide a scaffold for guiding practice-informed ongoing research and continuous service improvement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103144"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144933107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the impact of artificial intelligence-driven self-rostering: A dual-site pilot in medical imaging","authors":"S. Sitters ,&nbsp;K. O'Callahan ,&nbsp;M. O'Callahan ,&nbsp;M. Petersen ,&nbsp;T. Clasper ,&nbsp;L. Sicely","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Work-life balance is an increasing priority in healthcare. However, this presents a challenge for public hospitals, where shift work, weekend work and night shifts are essential to providing 24-h care. Self-rostering (SR) is a widely researched method that can increase work-life balance for health professionals. However, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial to overcome the complexity of multi-department scheduling common in medical imaging departments. Guided by previous findings, this study explores work-life balance, shift-swapping and sick-leave in relation to AI-SR.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This research was undertaken alongside an AI-SR pilot, in two medical imaging departments (one urban, one regional) in Aotearoa, New Zealand (NZ). There were 71 participants, 81 % were female, all aged between 20 and 70. An explanatory-sequential mixed methods design was utilised. Data of shift-swaps, sick leave and work-life balance was collected, and thematic analysis was undertaken.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Sick leave results varied between sites, linked qualitatively to improved staffing-levels and decreased work-life conflict, no change was noted in shift-swapping. Qualitative themes were agency, work fitting around life, fairness and loss aversion and receptivity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>AI-based self-rostering can help medical imaging staff balance work with their personal lives and may reduce sick leave, but more research is needed on its impact on wellbeing. Our findings also suggest that incorporating explainable AI could improve fairness and user acceptance, although guidance on XAI design for healthcare is scarce.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>Our study shows that AI-SR systems improve work-life balance. However, those looking to implement AI-SR systems should consider system transparency, to help mitigate loss aversion and improve perceptions of fairness. This is crucial to improving user understanding and, ultimately, acceptance of the scheduling approach and AI technologies more generally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103150"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144926184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategies for overcoming barriers to engagement in continuing professional development (CPD) activities in radiography: Exploratory study in Malawi","authors":"P.B. Shaba ,&nbsp;P.B. Nkosi","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Continuing Professional Development (CPD) involves the systematic maintenance, improvement, and broadening of knowledge, skills, and personal qualities necessary for executing professional and technical duties throughout a professional's work life. Radiographers must stay up to date with the latest knowledge and technological advancements to maintain best practices. Previous studies have highlighted time constraints, a lack of motivation and insufficient resources as barriers to engaging in CPD activities among radiographers. Notably, there is a paucity of literature documenting strategies to overcome these barriers from the perspective of key stakeholders, including radiographers, their employers and the professional body. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of radiographers, employers and the professional body on strategies to improve CPD engagement by radiographers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A qualitative exploratory study was employed using purposive sampling to select 15 radiographers, 3 employers and a representative from the professional body in Malawi. After obtaining ethical approval and signed consent from the participants, one-to-one and face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants, audio recorded with their permission, and transcribed verbatim before analysis. Tesch's eight steps of data analysis were used to analyse the data and develop themes related to the strategies to overcoming barriers to CPD engagement by radiographers.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study yielded three themes, namely: Promoting a supportive mindset to alleviate attitudinal barriers, enhancing accessibility and infrastructure, and establishing organisational support.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A comprehensive and multi-faceted approach incorporating employer support, accessible resources, and regulatory frameworks is essential to facilitate optimal CPD engagement among radiographers, thereby enhancing professional practice, patient care outcomes and overall healthcare care quality.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>Implementing strategies that foster a supportive mindset, enhance accessibility, and establish organisational support can help overcome barriers to CPD engagement among radiographers in Malawi, ultimately improving the quality of radiography services and patient care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103129"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144895907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Applying inherent requirements to foster resilience, fitness to practice, and inclusivity in medical radiation science education: A qualitative study","authors":"J.L. Ago ,&nbsp;A. Kilgour ,&nbsp;C.L. Smith ,&nbsp;N. Pollard","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Inherent requirements (IRs) are essential personal attributes that demonstrate one's capacity to develop required professional capabilities in health professions education. While these attributes are theoretically positioned to support students' coping and resilience following challenging clinical interactions (CCIs), their practical application remains underexplored. This study examines how medical radiation-specific IRs are currently implemented and explores strategies to enhance their utility as academic and clinical support tools for developing student resilience.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A qualitative, exploratory descriptive design was employed. Seven MR academics from accredited Australian undergraduate medical radiation programs were recruited using snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams™ and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three themes described the current state of MR-specific IRs: (i) availability of, and student engagement with, IRs, (ii) IRs as informative yet non-enforceable guidelines, and (iii) how professional regulations are shaping MR-specific IRs. Strategies to enhance the application of IRs included creating awareness, making appropriate reasonable adjustments (RAs), and policy adjustments at the university level. IRs were found to contribute to coping and resilience by fostering self-awareness and aligning with professional capability standards. However, challenges remain in ensuring students engage with IRs meaningfully and that RAs do not compromise students’ fitness to practise.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although IRs are theoretically valuable, their current non-enforceable nature and inconsistent application limit their potential impact. Aligning IRs with professional capability standards can strengthen their utility while maintaining inclusivity and legal compliance.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>Universities should improve communication around IRs and RAs by integrating them into MR curricula and admissions processes. Clear alignment with professional standards, supported by stakeholder consultation, can enable students to make informed decisions, enhance resilience, and reduce reality shocks during clinical placements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103145"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144903990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experiences of undergraduate therapeutic radiography students working in radiation oncology departments: A qualitative study","authors":"P.L. Mokoena ,&nbsp;K. Henrico ,&nbsp;E. du Plessis","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Therapeutic radiography (TR) students frequently encounter a range of positive emotions as they engage with their work during clinical placements, often feeling that their contributions are both meaningful and impactful in patients' lives. However, many healthcare students grapple with elevated stress levels due to the pressures of maintaining academic performance and adapting to the demanding work environment inherent in healthcare settings. The aim of this research study was to explore and describe the experiences of TR students working with patients in radiation oncology departments.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A qualitative, contextual, exploratory, and descriptive research design was used to conduct this study. Twelve TR students were purposefully selected for World Café discussions on Microsoft Teams. The questions posed to them were developed using the Appreciative Inquiry approach, and the data were analysed with Tesch's eight-step descriptive analysis technique for open coding.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Four themes were identified: (1) positive feelings experienced in the work environment; (2) mental health support needed to strengthen the positive experiences; (3) mental health measures essential to achieve the students’ dreams; (4) strategies for the implementation of mental health measures.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study's findings highlighted that the TR students are happy to work in the radiation oncology environment, however, they felt unsupported by their lecturers and clinical tutors. The participants suggested measures that could be put in place by TR lecturers and clinical tutors to create a supportive learning environment for the students.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>This study's findings highlight the importance of a learning environment for TR students where they feel valued, respected, and supported to build their confidence and enhance their educational experience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103132"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144895908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical impact of including the shoulder joint in coronal-short TI inversion recovery sequence in a routine cervical spine MRI","authors":"B. Shetty ,&nbsp;D.B. Shetty ,&nbsp;N. Kumari ,&nbsp;A. Barre","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103119","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103119","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Clinical and pathological conditions of the cervical spine and shoulder often overlap due to anatomical proximity and shared neural pathways, hindering accurate identification of the pain source in patients with concurrent neck and shoulder symptoms. This study evaluated whether including the shoulder joints in coronal Short TI Inversion Recovery (STIR) sequences during cervical spine MRI improves diagnostic outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This prospective observational study included 116 patients with non-traumatic neck and/or shoulder symptoms. Cervical spine MRI was performed using a phased-array spine coil with routine sagittal and axial T1-and T2-weighted sequences, supplemented by a coronal STIR sequence with expanded field of view (FOV; 360–400 mm), angulated inferolaterally to include both shoulders. STIR parameters included repetition time: 2900 ms, echo time: 41 ms, inversion time: 140 ms, echo train length: 12, bandwidth: 19.23 Hz, slice thickness: 3 mm, slice gap: 3 mm, frequency: 128, phase: 192, excitation number: 3, and scan time: 2.2 min.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Shoulder abnormalities were detected in 32 patients (27.6 %) with fluid in the rotator cuff region (n = 22), subcoracoid bursae (n = 4), glenohumeral joint (n = 2), and acromioclavicular joint (n = 3). One patient had fluid adjacent to the shoulder, associated with tubercular lymphadenitis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Including shoulder joints in the coronal STIR sequence during cervical spine MRI can help identify pain sources more accurately, helping in accurate diagnosis and effective patient management.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>Incorporating shoulder joints in the coronal STIR sequence of cervical spine MRI enhances diagnostic efficiency for overlapping neck and shoulder symptoms. This may enable physicians to manage cases more effectively, save time, and potentially reduce the need for further imaging investigations in some cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103119"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144893371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of pre-reconstruction filtering with butterworth filter on 111In-pentetreotide SPECT image quality and quantitative accuracy: A phantom study","authors":"D. Hasegawa ,&nbsp;T. Iguchi ,&nbsp;M. Nakashima ,&nbsp;K. Yoshitomi ,&nbsp;M. Miyai ,&nbsp;K. Kojima ,&nbsp;T. Asahara","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study evaluates the image quality and quantitative accuracy of SPECT images with pre- and post-reconstruction smoothing filters in somatostatin receptor scintigraphy using phantom data.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We evaluated the spatial resolution, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and the quantitative accuracy using a NEMA IEC body phantom filled with a ¹¹¹In solution. SPECT images were obtained with a Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT system. Quantitative accuracy refers to the ability to accurately estimate the radioactive concentration of ¹¹¹In in the phantom from the image. SPECT reconstructions were performed using three methods: post-reconstruction Gaussian filtering (post-G), pre-reconstruction Gaussian filtering (pre-G), and pre-reconstruction Butterworth filtering (pre-B). To verify each filtering method, the cut-off frequency of the Butterworth filter and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Gaussian filter were each changed to eight different settings.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>FWHMs were 21.2, 19.8, and 18.0 mm for post-G, pre-G, and pre-B. CNRs (37-mm sphere) were 47.2, 63.8, and 69.5. Pre-B showed a 12.0 % error rate at 0.40 cycles/cm, while post-G and pre-G showed 20.2 % and 22.0 % at 7.2-mm FWHM. Pre-B outperformed other methods for resolution, CNR, and quantitative accuracy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>For ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide SPECT images, image reconstruction with a Butterworth filter applied to the projection image before reconstruction was found to be superior to reconstruction with a Gaussian filter in terms of image quality and quantitative accuracy.</div><div>This method can be easily implemented in routine clinical SPECT imaging workflows and has the potential to improve diagnostic confidence.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>The proposed method with a pre-reconstruction Butterworth filter has great potential to improve the image quality and quantitative accuracy of ¹¹¹In-SPECT images.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103121"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144895906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative audit of radiation in medicine resources in Anglophone West African countries of Nigeria and Ghana","authors":"T. Adejoh ,&nbsp;V.Della Atuwo-Ampoh ,&nbsp;S.V. Ngwuta ,&nbsp;C. Ahadzie ,&nbsp;G.M. Effiong ,&nbsp;D. Enekwachi ,&nbsp;P.E. Akwilam ,&nbsp;J. Adejoh ,&nbsp;C.G. Akwaeze ,&nbsp;E.S. Ezugwu ,&nbsp;J.O. Henslope ,&nbsp;P.E. Anusiobi ,&nbsp;S.C. Ikele","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103130","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103130","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>In the past 25 years, access to training and services in radiation in medicine (RIM) has improved in Nigeria and Ghana, but intra-country setbacks and inter-country disparities persist. In 1999, Nigeria had fewer than 1500 radiographers, 150 radiologists, and just 15 medical physicists. Only two of its 41 universities offered radiography programmes. Ghana faced similar limitations in human and institutional resources. This study seeks to promote international peer benchmarking by auditing the current status of human and institutional resources supporting the training and practice of radiation in medicine in both countries.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining a longitudinal quantitative survey and qualitative review of the literature. Data were collected between January 2024 and June 2025 through in-person interviews, WhatsApp, email, phone calls, and virtual meetings. Literature sources helped bridge data gaps.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>By June 2025, Nigeria and Ghana had a combined total of 5334 radiographers, 613 radiologists, and 399 medical physicists. Of 368 universities, 57 (15.5 %) offer radiography programmes, supported by 171 full-time academic staff, including 31 persons in professorial cadre. A regional postgraduate college and another country-specific one each train radiologists, radiation oncologists, and nuclear medicine physicians. Available equipment includes 326 CT scanners, 83 MRI units, 4794 x-ray machines, 168 mammography units, and 139 fluoroscopy systems. There are also 19 radiotherapy centres and 5 nuclear medicine facilities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Nigeria leads in absolute number of human, material, and infrastructural resources in all terrains, and exclusively in authorship of local books and professional journals. However, Ghana's much lower population gives it a better per capita rating in almost all fronts. The resources and progress of these two countries also far outweighs what exists in the other West African countries. Nigeria and Ghana share much similar academic template, professional structures, and regulatory frameworks for seamless inter-country collaboration and integration. They also hold a huge potential to ignite collaboration with, and integration of other West African countries into a regional radiation in medicine family.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>The study has the potential to inspire healthy peer review of resources first, between Nigeria and Ghana, and next between other West African countries and the duo. This will strengthen regional assets leveraging, international collaboration, as well as improve standardization of training and practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103130"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144895905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Developing student radiographers’ sense of professional identity: Reflecting on the “projected radiographer self”","authors":"K.G. Vikestad ,&nbsp;L. Habib ,&nbsp;A.F. Reitan","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103126","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This article aims to explore bachelor student radiographers’ understanding of their professional identity. The research was conducted at a Norwegian university, where students of a bachelor program in radiography were enjoined to describe their “projected professional self”, through drawing a “rich picture” of their future professional life.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The data for this study was gathered during the session in the form of “rich picture” drawn by the students and focus-group interviews with the students. The two sets of data were used as the basis for a qualitative analysis informed by an interpretative methodology. Themes from the two sets of data were combined in order to shed light on the research question.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Analysis revealed that student radiographers construct their professional identity through multiple foundational elements, including academic knowledge, practical skills, and ethical principles. The multifaceted responsibilities that are inherent to the radiography profession significantly influence the shaping of professional identity both as part of the university education and during clinical practice periods.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A structured reflection on the role and responsibilities of a radiographer towards the end of a bachelor programme, organised and facilitated by teaching staff, appears to be a constructive and empowering tool for student radiographers.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>The study suggests that engaging students with experience from practice in activities and reflection exercises is a useful pedagogical approach for enhancing student awareness of their professional identity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103126"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144893370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of challenging mammographic cases demonstrates subtle reader group discrepancies","authors":"N. Clerkin ,&nbsp;C. Ski ,&nbsp;M. Suleiman ,&nbsp;Z. Gandomkar ,&nbsp;P. Brennan ,&nbsp;R. Strudwick","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2025.103134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>High quality image interpretation is essential to detect early abnormalities on mammograms. A better understanding of the types of image characteristics that are most challenging to readers would support future education, as well as underpin advancements in AI modelling. This current work focuses on radiography advanced practitioners (RAP) to establish if RAPs and radiologists are challenged by the same characteristics.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a prospective, comparison study of radiographer and radiologist mammography readings. Using a cloud-based image interpretative platform and a 5 MP display, 16 radiographers and 24 radiologists read a test set of 60 mammograms with 20 confirmed cancer cases. Difficulty indices were calculated for each group based on error rates for each mammographic case. Unpaired Mann–Whitney tests were employed to compare error rates between various image characteristics. Spearman correlation analysis was used to establish if difficulty indices were associated with each cohort.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Strong correlations for cancer and normal cases difficulty indices respectively (r = 0.83 CI:0.61–0.93) and (r = 0.73; CI:0.54–0.85) were shown between both groups. Greatest difficulty scores were shown for cases with soft tissue appearances as opposed calcifications (p = 0.003) and for cases without prior images, compared to those with (p = 0.03). No significant image characteristic differences were noted for the radiologists.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This early study acknowledges a strong correlation between radiologists and radiographers when determining which mammographic cases are difficult to interpret. However, radiographers appear to be more susceptible to varying cancer appearances as well as the non-availability of prior images with normal cases.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>The results should be helpful when tailoring educational strategies and developing augmented artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to support human readers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 6","pages":"Article 103134"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144892080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}