Awareness of Radiation Protection and Common Radiation Dose Levels Among Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Introduction Access to ionizing radiation has become widely available for diagnosis and treatment. The increased use of ionizing radiation has been associated with radiation exposure hazards for patients and radiation workers. Raising the level of radiation protection awareness is important to maintain the safety of healthcare settings. Methods Online questionnaires were distributed to 755 healthcare workers and students at King Abdulaziz Medical City and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of 14 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections (questions related to radiation protection and common radiologic examination doses). Results In total, 443 participants completed the questionnaire, including 142 (32%) medical students, 107 (24%) radiology technologists, 105 (24%) radiography students, and 89 (20%) physicians. Of the participants, 245 (55%) were men. A total of 74 (84%) physicians and 51 (47%) radiology technologists had more than 5 years of experience. Eleven (12%) physicians and 44 (41%) radiology technologists had 1–4 years of experience, whereas the rest had less than 1 year of experience. Only 16% of participants attended training courses on a regular basis. However, 15% of the participants thought that they had excellent knowledge of radiation protection, whereas 18% admitted that they did not have sufficient knowledge. Sixty-two percent of the questions related to radiation protection awareness were answered correctly. Forty-five percent of the participants correctly answered questions related to doses from common radiologic examinations. Only 23% and 16% of participants were aware of the noncontrast chest CT and lumbar x-ray doses, respectively. Moreover, 35% and 24% of participants did not know that pelvic MRI and abdominal ultrasound do not contribute any radiation dose, respectively. Conclusion The results showed a knowledge gap regarding radiation protection and dose levels; therefore, periodic refresher courses are recommended for healthcare workers in order to increase the level of awareness.

Radiation safety compliance awareness among healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation

“…This could potentially impact their compliance with safety measures. This result comes close to that of Alyousef, et al, (2023), who evaluated HCWs’ awareness of radiation safety and typical radiation dose and revealed that more than half of their sample had less than one year of work experience [ 27 ]. On the contrary, the results of Soliman et al, (2019) showed that more than two-fifths of their participants had more than 10 years of professional experience [ 26 ].…”

Radyolojide görevli sağlık çalışanlarının radyasyondan korunma ile ilgili bilgi düzeyi (özel hastane örneği)

“…Radyasyon güvenliği konusunda yeterli eğitim ve öğretim, maruz kalma riskini en aza indirmek ve sağlık çalışanlarının güvenliğini sağlamak için çok önemlidir (Aydın ve diğerleri, 2016) Araştırmalar, sağlık çalışanlarının radyasyon güvenliği konusunda beklenen düzeyde bilgiye sahip olmadığını ve bu konuda hem sağlık kurumlarında hem de mesleki eğitim ve öğretim kurumlarında yeni düzenlemelere ihtiyaç olduğunu göstermiştir. (Alyousef et al, 2023., Başaran et al, 2021., Goula et al, 2021., Gündoğdu et al, 2019., Koplay et al, 2016Krille et al, 2010;Najjar et al, 2022., Palacı et al, 2018., Şahmaran et al, 2022ve Şenişik et al, 2020.…”

“…Bu eğitimlerin çalışılan birime göre düzenlenip, gerçekçi, verimli, yol gösterir olması gerekmektedir. (Akay et al, 2019., Alyousef et al, 2023., Goula et al, 2021., Karaca et al, 2016., Nyathi, 2022., Şimşek et al, 2022ve Vural et al, 2012.…”