Mammography workstation design: effect on mammographer behaviour and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders

In the UK Breast Screening Programme there is a growing transition from film to digital mammography, and consequently a change in mammography workstation ergonomics. This paper investigates the effect of the change for radiologists including their comfort, likelihood of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's), and work practices. Three workstations types were investigated: one with all film mammograms; one with digital mammograms alongside film mammograms from the previous screening round, and one with digital mammograms alongside digitised film mammograms from the previous screening round. Mammographers were video-taped whilst conducting work sessions at each of the workstations. Event based Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) postural analysis showed no overall increase in MSD risk level in the switch from the film to digital workstation. Average number of visual glances at the prior mammograms per case measured by analysis of recorded video footage showed an increase if the prior mammograms were digitised, rather than displayed on a multi-viewer (p<.05). This finding has potential implications for mammographer performance in the transition to digital mammography in the UK.

[1]  S. Hart,et al.  Development of NASA-TLX (Task Load Index): Results of Empirical and Theoretical Research , 1988 .

[2]  C Kimme-Smith,et al.  Effects of ambient light and view box luminance on the detection of calcifications in mammography. , 1997, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[3]  Steven C. Horii,et al.  Environmental Designs for Reading from Imaging Workstations: Ergonomic and Architectural Features , 2002, Journal of Digital Imaging.

[4]  David Gur,et al.  Optimal reference mammography: a comparison of mammograms obtained 1 and 2 years before the present examination. , 2003, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[5]  Nico Karssemeijer,et al.  Use of prior mammograms in the classification of benign and malignant masses. , 2005, European journal of radiology.

[6]  W Jaschinski-Kruza,et al.  Eyestrain in VDU Users: Viewing Distance and the Resting Position of Ocular Muscles , 1991, Human factors.

[7]  J. Law,et al.  Film viewing conditions in mammography. , 1997, The British journal of radiology.

[8]  D A Owens,et al.  Near work, visual fatigue, and variations of oculomotor tonus. , 1987, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[9]  Susan M Astley,et al.  Single reading with computer-aided detection and double reading of screening mammograms in the United Kingdom National Breast Screening Program. , 2006, Radiology.

[10]  L McAtamney,et al.  RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. , 1993, Applied ergonomics.

[11]  Nico Karssemeijer,et al.  Importance of comparison of current and prior mammograms in breast cancer screening. , 2007, Radiology.

[12]  Paul Nagy,et al.  PACS reading room design. , 2003, Seminars in roentgenology.

[13]  B. Viták,et al.  Effect on sensitivity and specificity of mammography screening with or without comparison of old mammograms , 2000 .

[14]  O Ratib,et al.  Computer-aided design and modeling of workstations and radiology reading rooms for the new millennium. , 2000, Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc.