Accuracy of radiological technologists' interpretation assisted by category assessment (Second report: Effects on category assessment by additional radiography)

Abstract

We examined the effect of additional radiography on the accuracy of interpretation assistance by radiological technologists using the "Interpretation category assessment Classification for Gastric X-ray Screening" by the Japanese Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening Society.

The sensitivity (65.2%) with additional radiography was significantly higher than the sensitivity (49.7%) without additional radiography (P<0.01). The rate of category 3b as an indefinite assessment was 19.5% in case of the additional radiography and 17.6% in these without.

The overcategorization rate in nonmalignant cases was 42.1% with additional radiography. The analysis, which was adjusted for technologist's knowledge and experience, demonstrated a significantly higher sensitivity with additional radiography than without in all classes of technologists. However, there was no difference in the assignment rate of the uncertain assessment Category 3b. The overcategorization rate in nonmalignant cases was higher in the technologist instructors with extensive knowledge and experience (57.1%) than that in other groups.