Effects of Prior Diagnosis on Second Opinions and Pathologist Viewing Behaviors: Results from a Randomized Trial in Breast Pathology.

ABSTRACT: ObjectiveTo study the effects of exposure to a prior diagnosis (PD) on second opinions in breast pathology.Materials and MethodsPathologists interpreted digital breast biopsy cases in 2 phases separated by a washout. Phase 2 interpretations were randomly assigned to PD or no PD. When presented, PD was always more or less severe than a participant's phase 1 diagnosis. Viewing behaviors, including zoom level, were recorded during all interpretations. Twenty pathologists yielded 556 interpretations of 32 different cases.ResultsPathologists were 71% more likely to give a less severe diagnosis when exposed to a less severe PD than with no PD (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.33-2.20, P < 0.001). In comparison, when exposed to a more severe PD than with no PD, pathologists were 27% more likely to give a

SUBMITTER: Kerr KF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12731604 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature