The diagnostic accuracy of radiographers assessing screening mammograms: A systematic review

• Radiographers demonstrate equivalent accuracy to radiologists.
• No statistical significance in performance of trained or untrained radiographers and radiologists.
• Additional radiographer assessments can increase cancer detection.
• Acquired skills need to be practised to maintain good performance.

This systematic review aims to evaluate the literature on the performance of radiographers in assessment of screening mammograms compared with radiologists. Measurable performance criteria were essential as well as a gold standard with which to compare both performance, and outcomes by means of biopsy reports or consequent negative screenings. The level of training of the radiographers in mammogram assessment was also documented. The majority of the literature demonstrated that the performance statistics of radiographers are equivalent to that of radiologist readers. Although formal training of radiographers demonstrates improved sensitivity, results of all performance data suggest no statistical difference at the 95% level between trained or untrained radiographers and radiologists.