Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the purpose of the MammoCoach?
To provide a convenient 24/7 cloud bases training tool, to provide a significant amount of screening mammograms, but also feedback about the performance (quantitative assessment) reading habits of peers, based on different levels of expertise (qualitative assessment).
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How did the authors choose the screening mammograms?
The current exam was chosen based on a normal screening mammogram 2 years after the 'current' exam. The prior exam is two years older. In other words if the authors red a 2014 screening mammogram as normal and the 2012 and 2010 exam was also normal, the 2010 and 2012 exams were chosen for MammoCoach.
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What is the best way to go fast through the amount of screening mammograms provided?
On the 8 image gird it is important to compare the new to the previous exam - then on the 2 image grid the magnification glass can be used to see micro calcifications, the 'prior button' can be used, while the magnification glass remains turned on to compare to the prior study and ROI for pathological finding can be set while keeping the magnification glass being turned on. With that approach it is not unrealistic to read 50 of the screening mammograms in one hour.
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How many abnormal findings can be found?
We decided to show per case a maximum of one pathological finding.
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How many call backs, workups and cancers can I expect?
We tried to replicate reality as much as possible. Among 1000 mammograms will be 100 recalls, about 15 biopsies and about 5 cancers.
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What is the value of the Normal ROI buttons (qualitative assessment)?
This is a unique way for the participant to learn based on the decision of peers. Based on the experience level of peers the ROI will mark areas which were decided NOT to represent abnormalities. This decision is specified as Normal , because stable since prior study (for example an asymmetry), Normal, because of benign morphology (for example fat within a lymph node) or Normal because of presence on one view only (for example superimposed tissue). The different reason of the Normal will be coded by different shape of the ROI markers and the experience of the peers will be coded by a different color of the ROI markers.
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What is the value of the quantitative assessment?
Many breast imagers in the US read a number of screening mammograms which is suboptimal to have a meaningful number of FN, TP etc. If someone reads only the required 480 cases per year there will be only 1-2 cancers among these screening cases. MammoCoach will provide a significant number of mammograms to increase the overall number of mammograms to a more meaningful level and provide a feedback reflecting the benchmarks which are also required by MQSA audits.
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What is the purpose of the electronic case collection?
This is a collection of 200 teaching cases covering a wide variety of pathology but also BI-RADS descriptors which are explained in detail with a short text, in form of multiple choice questions and also corresponding literature, of which most is openly available in the internet to be read without subscriptions. The case collection is also available as paperback book: Radiology Case Review Series: Breast Imaging (McGraw-Hill Case Based Review Series) by Chris Flowers and Markus Holzhauer. Based on the performance of the user in the case collection there will be in MammoCoach an interface which will direct the user to the cases which are pertinent in regard of improving the performance.
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Can the user see if the performance did improve after going through the 1000 Cases and having studied the suggested cases of the electronic case collection?
Yes, there will be another collection of 500 cases after the first 1000 cases which will have a higher percentage of cancers and which will allow the user to retest her/his performance by obtaining again a quantitative assessment.
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When do we expect that MammoCoach will be ready to purchase?
We will launch the full version of MammoCoach at RSNA 2014. A free trial of 100 cases is already available. More announcements will be shown through the webpage www.MammoCoach.com and also through other social media such as www.radiolopolis.com.
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What are the system requirements to run MammoCoach?
MammoCoach provides a unique, web-based approach to train screening mammography. Since we do provide a large amount of imaging data, it is recommended that you use a fast Internet connection (DSL or faster). The faster your connection is the faster the images will be loaded and the more you will have a "workstation" feeling. The program was tested and runs optimally under Windows XP and Windows 7 operating systems with Mozilla FireFox and Google Chrome browsers and Apple OS X V10 operating system with Mozilla FireFox and Google Chrome browsers. The program was not tested under other system configurations and thus does not guarantee to work 100% properly. Since screening mammography is performed on high resolution and large display monitors, it makes also sense to run this program on higher resolution monitors. However, you do not need MQSA certified monitors to use MammoCoach but we recommend a screen resolution of at least 1440x900 pixels.
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Can I run the program on my iPad?
To a limited extend yes, but it is not recommended since you are working with high resolution images and the training and learning experience might be significantly degraded by smaller displays.
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Can I run the program on my laptop?
Yes, you can run MammoCoach on a laptop, but we do recommend a screen resolution of at least 1440x900 pixels to have a satisfactory training and learning experience.
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How do I optimize my viewing experience?
Depending on your preferences, we do offer two viewer modes: one fixed window resolution and one dynamic viewer window, which adapts to your screen resolution. We do recommend maximizing your browser, so that you can use the maximum of your monitor for viewing.
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I have questions which are not answered here – how do I contact MammoCoach?
You may either reach us via email at feedback@mammocoach.com or you may post questions in our online forum which will be answered by our team of expert readers (only available for subscribers).
