Amit Patel, MD, radiologist in Northfield, NJ

When a breast tissue biopsy is indicated following a suspicious finding on mammogram, our data indicates that about a third of all biopsies occur on the same day. As a patient, you may prefer a doctor who has a higher rate of same-day biopsy following mammogram, because early diagnosis of conditions detected by biopsy is important for effective treatment.

To help you understand how Dr. Patel’s rate of same-day biopsy for mammogram compares to a typical doctor who performs mammograms:

1. We first measure the actual same-day biopsy rate for Dr. Patel’s patients whose mammograms included a suspicious finding that merited a biopsy.
2. We then analyze the typical practices of all other doctors in the United States who perform mammograms, using a data-driven model to predict the rate of same-day biopsy for patients like Dr. Patel’s.

By comparing these two numbers, you can see whether Dr. Patel’s rate of same-day biopsy is lower than, similar to, or higher than predicted.

This prediction adjusts based on the types of patients the doctor sees, so a doctor who treats sicker patients may have a different predicted rate than a doctor who treats healthier patients.