Effect of image quality and motivation of radiographer teams in mammography after dedicated training and the use of an evaluation tool like PGMI

Abstract

Introduction: High quality and motivated staff are key factors for successful breast imaging teams. The aim of this study is to find out what effects intensive training of already experienced radiographers - including the embedment of evaluation tools and building a new routine workflow - has on image quality and how the motivation and satisfaction of employees change by that.

Methods: A mixed methods study was planned to show changes in image quality simultaneously to motivation of the team after a dedicated training with an expert. Two readers evaluated the quality of 1496 mammograms (775 before, 721 after training) with PGMI (perfect/good/moderate/inadequate) in consensus. To record subjective long-term experiences of the alterations due to the training the radiographers were asked to fill in a written questionnaire.

Results: After training the PGMI values considerably shift to a preferred level (p < 0.05) - higher values for P (8,9% to 25,5%) and G (38,2% to 57,1%) and lower values for M (34,1% to 15,4%) and I (18,8% to 1,9%). All radiographers have experienced noticeable improvement and benefit through the initiation of the training.

Conclusion: After training there is significant improvement in the image quality of mammograms and an increase in motivation and professional well-being of the radiographers.

Implications for practice: Due to the urgent need for high quality in breast diagnostics and the worldwide frequency of mammographic examinations, investments should be made to establish thoughtful training programs for radiographers and further develop possibilities for assessment like PGMI.

Keywords: Image quality; Mammography; PGMI; Radiographer; Training.