Abstract
Purpose Breast imaging represents an integral part of radiology and is subject to strict
quality controls. Regarding this, precise diagnostics including multimodal assessment
by mammography, sonography, and MRI, including image-guided biopsy and localization
procedures, is often decisive and must be performed by experts with profound knowledge
and skills in all of these procedures.
However, due to numerous restructurings, breast imaging has been shifted more and
more towards large, specialized centers, resulting in less patient exposition and
training opportunities for radiologists in smaller sites. The following whitepaper
summarizes the current circumstances and discusses opinions of the participating societies.
Materials Under the leadership of the German Roentgen Society (DRG) and with the participation
of the DRGʼs AG Mammadiagnostik, the CAFRAD (Chefarztforum Radiologie), the KLR (Konferenz
der Lehrstuhlinhaber für Radiologie e. V.), the DRGʼs Forum Junge Radiologie (FJR)
and the Berufsverband der Deutschen Radiologen e. V. (BDR), possible solutions were
discussed and consented for a structured training in breast radiology in the future.
Results In addition to the teaching provided at the primary workplace, qualified training
should be ensured through flexible, multi-institutional, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral
collaboration. Furthermore, the integration of online case collections and close cooperation
with certified breast cancer centers and mammography screening units is recommended.
It is indispensible that online courses and case collections adhere to the standards
of the national societies and include a maximum of one third of the required cases.
Conclusion In order to provide training in breast radiology at a high professional level, a
paradigm shift with closer cooperation of all participants is necessary. This includes
close collaboration of the breast imaging societies with the federal medical associations
to establish new teaching concepts like e-learning in the training schedule of radiologists.
Key points
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Breast diagnostics is an integral part of radiology training.
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Due to recent restructurings, smaller training centers have difficulties in meeting
the case numbers demanded by the Specialist Training Regulations (WBO). Improved integration
of the new structures and their adaptation to the needs of education are necessary
to guarantee standardized high-quality training of young radiologists.
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The integration of certified case collections enables quality-assured training, even
across regions in online-based formats. In accordance with the “blended learning principle”,
up to one-third of the required number of patient studies can be substituted with
cases from a certified case collection.
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Legally secured short- and medium-term internships may complement training in radiology.
Citation Format
Key words
breast imaging - e-learning - medical education - curriculum radiology - blended learning
- training in breast radiology
