ACR and New York Dept. of Health to Distribute Free High-Tech Mammography Education Tool to NY Facilities

CD-based Product Helps Doctors Sharpen Life-saving Mammography Skills Online Rather Than on Patients

Reston, Va. — The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the New York State Department of Health have partnered to distribute 1,500 copies of the College’s Mammography Case Review (MCR4) educational CD-ROM free of charge to physicians in approximately 600 ACR-accredited mammography facilities throughout New York state.

Mammography Case Review (MCR4), a self-evaluation educational tool, enables physicians to test and improve their skills regarding the detection of cancers and other abnormalities via mammography by allowing them to evaluate multiple cases in a controlled electronic setting, supplementing their real world experience with case types that they may not have previously experienced.

“Mammography has undoubtedly served to reduce breast cancer deaths nationwide and is the gold standard for detection of breast cancer. However, mammograms remain one of the most challenging exams for physicians to interpret. The ACR is proud to offer this important tool to help physicians better interpret this extremely important exam which is of paramount importance in the battle against breast cancer,” said Harvey L. Neiman, M.D., FACR, Executive Director of the ACR.

The CD-based Mammography Case Review provides instant feedback to the user identifying abnormalities that they may have missed (if any) and prepares them to better detect such indications in the future.

“Mammography Case Review enables physicians to sharpen their mammography skills on some of the most challenging cases that they may ever encounter and allows any learning curve to take place online instead of on patients,” said Lawrence Davis, M.D., FACR, Vice Chair and Program Director, Department of Radiology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center and chair of the American College of Radiology Education Commission. “This vital training will benefit physicians and their patients throughout New York just as it does nationwide.”

Participants may claim up to 9 American Medical Association (AMA) PRA Category 1 CreditsTM for completing the MCR4 program which, under this agreement, is provided free of charge to New York state ACR-accredited mammography facilities. In addition, radiologists who successfully complete this program will obtain up to three (3) Self Assessment Module credits from the American Board of Radiology (ABR).

To arrange an interview with an ACR spokesperson, please contact ACR Director of Public Affairs Shawn Farley at 703-648-8936 or sfarley@acr.org.

For more information regarding the ACR Mammography Case Review product, please visit: www.acr.org/mcr.

For more information regarding ACR mammography facility accreditation programs, please visit www.acr.org/accreditation/mammography.aspx.

SOURCE: ACR, Shawn Farley