Malpractice fears weigh heavily on mammography

Dear AuntMinnie Member,

A new study out this month indicates that while breast imaging specialists are worried about malpractice claims, their concerns aren't prompting them to order more recalls or biopsies.

The study found a high level of concern about malpractice, according to a two-part series by staff writer Shalmali Pal that we're featuring in our Women's Imaging Digital Community this week. Nearly three-quarters of respondents stated that their worries about litigation moderately or greatly increased the number of follow-up diagnostic exams they ordered.

But the researchers did not detect any association between the radiologists who were concerned about mammography malpractice and their actual recall rates. Nor did radiologists who had previously been sued for malpractice order a larger number of follow-up exams.

Still, the study authors were surprised by the level of concern about malpractice and its impact on whether breast imaging specialists wanted to remain in mammography at all. Over one-third of respondents said they were thinking about leaving the field due to legal concerns.

Read all about the study by clicking here, and when you're done make sure to read part II of the series, an exclusive interview with the study's authors, available here.