The effect of immediate reading of screening mammograms on medical care utilization and costs after false-positive mammograms.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate whether decreased anxiety associated with immediate reading of screening mammograms resulted in lower downstream utilization and costs among women with false-positive mammograms.

Data sources/study setting

We identified 1,140 women, > or =age 40, with false-positive mammograms and 12-month follow-up after participating in a trial of immediate versus batch mammographic reading between February 1999 and January 2001 in a multispecialty group managed care practice in Massachusetts.

Study design

We determined downstream utilization and costs for study participants by immediate and batch reading status.

Data collection/extraction methods

Demographic, comorbidity, and medical care utilization data were obtained from survey data and computeriz

SUBMITTER: Stewart KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1955276 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature