Patient Compliance in the Setting of BI-RADS Category 3: What Factors Impact Compliance With Short-Term Follow-Up Recommendations?

The study aims to define how imaging findings, patient demographics, patient-provider interactions, and health care practices may affect a woman's decision to follow-up in the setting of a BI-RADS Category 3. A total of 398 women from the University of Arizona Breast Imaging Center with a BI-RADS Category 3 assessment for mammography and/or ultrasound findings were evaluated between February 2012 and June 2014. Demographic information was analyzed for all patients, regardless of follow-up. Women who returned for follow-up within the recommended time period were given one survey at the time of their follow-up appointment, and women who returned for follow-up, but later than recommended, were given a separate survey to complete. Age, palpability of a lesion, and menopause status were related to follow-up. Self-rated general health was the only factor found to be associated with the decision to follow-up on time. The majority of patients who followed up on time reported that mailed reminder cards were the primary practice that prompted follow-up. Of patients who followed up later than recommended, the major reason was "no time." The findings suggest that additional counseling regarding the benefits of short-interval imaging follow-up might be advantageous for patients.