Dorit Daniella Adler MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Michelle Riba MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Susan Eggly PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the experience and desire for training of breast imagers in discussing bad news(BN) with their patients. No such information has been previously reported.

Following IRB approval at the University of Michigan (UM) and approval from the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI), questionnaires were mailed to SBI fellows and current UM breast imaging(BI) faculty, fellows, and residents. The final questionnaire page was mistakenly omitted in the SBI mailing. After IRB approval, the final page was sent to the SBI fellows.

Response rate was 61/94 (65%) for SBI fellows and 13/20 (65%)for UM physicians. 95% of respondents were ≥age 40 and respondents were roughly equally divided in gender. 64% were in a university setting, 34% in a private setting. 39% practiced for over 31 years, 59% practiced 11-30 years. 35% of respondents had a BI fellowship. Frequency of delivering BN was most often "weekly" or "daily" whether the news was need for extra views, biopsy recommendation, or positive core biopsy results. Recommendation for extra views and for breast biopsy were reported to be usually given in person whereas 59% of respondents delivered positive biopsy results by telephone. 84% of respondents noted no previous training in delivering BN. On a comfort scale of 1(low)-10(high), 95% of respondents listed 8-10 for recommending extra views. 85% had the same comfort level for recommending biopsy, and 67% for giving positive biopsy results. 62% of UM radiologists expressed interest in obtaining further training in how to deliver BN. 52% of SBI fellows returned the initially omitted question regarding interest in further training in breaking BN. Only 32% were desirous of such training.

While radiologists commonly delivered BN in the BI setting, very few had training in how to do so. Comfort level declined as severity of news increased yet a majority of respondents were not interested in obtaining training in how to deliver BN. These findings raise the need for further study.

We present the first report of the experience of breast imagers in delivering bad news including their previous training and desire for further instruction.

Adler, D, Riba, M, Eggly, S, Breaking Bad News in the Breast Imaging Setting.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4426281.html