Surgeon influence on use of needle biopsy in patients with breast cancer: a national medicare study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Use of needle biopsy is a proposed quality measure in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, yet prior literature documents underuse. Nationally, little is known regarding the contribution of a patient's surgeon to needle biopsy use, and knowledge regarding downstream impact of needle biopsy on breast cancer care is incomplete.

Methods

Using 2003 to 2007 nationwide Medicare data from 89,712 patients with breast cancer and 12,405 surgeons, logistic regression evaluated the following three outcomes: surgeon consultation before versus after biopsy, use of needle biopsy (yes or no), and number of surgeries for cancer treatment. Multilevel analyses were adjusted for physician, patient, and structural covariates.

Results

Needle biopsy was used in 68.4% (n = 6

SUBMITTER: Eberth JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4164811 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature