Breast Imaging
Helping readers improve their breast
imaging interpretation
The leading self-assessment and training programme for breast imaging readers, fully embedded in the National Health Service (NHS) Breast Screening Programme for over three decades.
Enhancing Diagnostic Skills through Challenging Test Sets and Personalised Training
We have a series of challenging test sets, with new sets developed annually.
Readers take part on their own clinical workstation anywhere in the world, and report cases using the PERFORMS web based software.
Readers have their own confidential web portal for case review and access to individual results and certification.
PERFORMS breast provides a thorough breakdown of individual reader performance, allowing comparison with peers nationally and internationally at case level.
PERFORMS breast identifies underperforming readers and provides further tailored training.
PERFORMS UK
PERFORMS UK is fully embedded in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) and a mandated activity for all NHSBSP breast screening readers. It is endorsed by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and NHS England to benefit breast screening readers. It helps participants improve their image interpretation skills and knowledge through Continuing Professional Development (CPD), remain up to date in their specialities and comply with the relevant professional standards.
“Professionals involved in the NHS Breast Screening Programme are required to keep up-to-date with nationally approved training programmes and CPD/CME and to participate in educational schemes such as PERFORMS.”
NHS PUBLIC HEALTH FUNCTIONS
AGREEMENT 2018-2019
IMPROVE
“The IMPROVE scheme provides a robust method for assessing the performance of our trainees, giving me the confidence that they are ready to read in the NHSBSP. ”
Jonathan James
Consultant Radiologist, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Director of Education and Training at the Nottingham Breast Institute.
IMPROVE is a specially designed variant of PERFORMS Breast that targets breast screening trainees. Participants assess a test set at the beginning and end of training, to measure their progress and skill improvement. Proficiency in reading these test sets demonstrates diagnostic competence required for breast screening.
Several UK breast screening centres have incorporated IMPROVE as a mandatory exercise before independent reading.
IMPROVE stands for breast IMaging PROficiency and VErification for trainees
IMPACT
IMPACT is a special design of PERFORMS Breast that focuses on providing and enhancing the quality assurance framework for radiographers’ mammographic image quality. High standard of mammography imaging is key for accurate image interpretation and to reduce the number of unnecessarily repeated mammograms.
“IMPACT plays a pivotal role in enhancing image quality by providing valuable feedback and support to trainee mammographers. This initiative not only ensures adherence to standards but also fosters continuous improvement in the field. Effective mammographic technique is crucial for an effective breast screening service, and this tool ultimately benefits patient care.”
Emily Gilbert
Training and Education Manager at the Nottingham Breast Institute, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
