DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PHYSICISTS WHO EVALUATE MAMMOGRAPHIC UNITS

PURPOSE: To determine whether there will be an adequate number of phys icists to meet the 1996 American College of Radiology (ACR) Mammograph y Accreditation Program requirements and assess the qualifications of physicists available to evaluate mammography units as required by the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992. MATERIALS AND METHO DS: A 21-question survey prepared by the ACR was sent to most medical physicists who perform evaluations of mammographic units. Replies were received from 1,011 individuals. RESULTS: Survey results are based on the replies of 824 individuals who indicated a willingness to perform evaluations in the future. In 1996, there will be approximately 510 c ertified physicists to evaluate an estimated 14,000 mammography units in the United States. CONCLUSION: A sufficient number of certified dia gnostic medical physicists will be available to provide required annua l performance evaluations of all mammography units in the United State s only if the number of units evaluated per physicist increases substa ntially over current levels,