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

Abstract

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.

The effect of digitising film prior mammograms on radiologists' performance in breast screening: a JAFROC study

“…Taylor-Phillips et al 12 found in live screening that the screen readers used the prior mammograms for a greater proportion of cases when these were digitised in comparison to being displayed in film format on a multi-viewer. In the present study eye movement data have been recorded of how each participant visually examined the digital images or the digital and analogue images.…”

“…8 Taylor-Phillips et al 12 found that participants used the prior mammograms for a greater proportion of cases when they were digitised rather than when displayed in film format. The aim of the current paper is to investigate whether this difference in behaviour, when considered alongside the other factors above, will translate to a difference in screening performance.…”

Musculoskeletal Risks: RULA Bibliometric Review

“…The RULA method was used. It was determined that no more MSDs developed as a result of performing the mammograms digitally [222].…”