Radiation Injury Treatment Network Medical and Nursing Workforce Radiation: Knowledge and Attitude Assessment

Abstract

Objectives: The Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN) is prepared to respond to a national disaster resulting in mass casualties with marrow toxic injuries. How effective existing RITN workforce education and training is, or whether health-care providers (HCPs) at these centers possess the knowledge and skills to care for patients following a radiation emergency is unclear. HCP knowledge regarding the medical effects and medical management of radiation-exposed patients, along with clinical competence and willingness to care for patients following a radiation emergency was assessed. Methods: An online survey was conducted to assess level of knowledge regarding the medical effects of radiation, medical/nursing management of patients, self-perception of clinical competence, and willingness to respond to radiation emergencies and nuclear events. Results: Attendance at previous radiation emergency management courses and overall knowledge scores were low for all respondents. The majority indicated they were willing to respond to a radiation event, but few believed they were clinically competent to do so. Conclusions: Despite willingness to respond, HCPs at RITN centers may not possess adequate knowledge of medical management of radiation patients, and appropriate response actions during a radiation emergency. RITN should increase the awareness of the importance of radiation education and training.

Factors Affecting the Intervention of Health-Care Professionals in Radiological Events: A Systematic Review

“…Insufficient training was considered as 1 of the limiting factors affecting the intervention of health-care professionals in 11 of the 18 articles included. 8,10,[15][16][17][18][19][24][25][26][27] This factor causes health professionals not to understand the risks at the scene, to be worried, not to give medical attention or to be hesitant to give medical attention, and to endanger their own health, which leads to a shortage of staff who can provide appropriate treatment. Thus, it is necessary to make various improvements in training, which is located at the intersection of the factors affecting the intervention of health professionals in radiological events.…”

“…However, the rarity of a radiological event, the lack of experienced health staff, 16,18 and their unwillingness to receive training cause health professionals to feel unsafe 38 and similar actions. 10,15 These actions affect the health professional's response to a radiological event. International emergency plans have been developed to reduce the negative actions of health professionals against such incidents and to perform effective intervention.…”

“…However, health-care professionals are less likely to encounter radiological events compared with many emergencies. 15 Rare occurrence of radiological events compared with other conditions is identified as a limiting factor affecting the intervention of health-care professionals. 10,[15][16][17][18] This factor causes actions such as the lack or absence of experienced health staff to respond to the radiological emergency, difficulty in managing the event, unwillingness to receive training, and not providing medical support to the contaminated victim who needs therapeutic intervention.…”

“…10,[15][16][17][18] This factor causes actions such as the lack or absence of experienced health staff to respond to the radiological emergency, difficulty in managing the event, unwillingness to receive training, and not providing medical support to the contaminated victim who needs therapeutic intervention. 10,15 2. Inadequacy of health-care professionals against radiological events Insufficient equipment, hospital, and staff.…”

“…19 In addition, it was mentioned that health-care professionals did not want to receive training due to the rare occurrence of radiological disasters or the low probability of encountering them, that they could not receive training, and that additional training/technical support was not provided. 10,15,16,18,21,24 For this reason, it was stated that health-care professionals did not know where the personal protective equipment was, that they were afraid of risking their own health, and that they could not provide the medical treatment that the victim affected by the radiological release needed. 17,[23][24][25][26] In 1 study, it was expressed that health-care professionals did not have sufficient experience due to the rare occurrence of a radiological event.…”