Knowledge and Practices of Physicians about Radiation Protection of Patients during Prescription of Computed Tomography (CT)scan Procedures in Saudi Arabia 2024

Abstract

Background: Radiation safety is a concern for patients, physicians, and staff in many departments, including radiology, interventional cardiology, and surgery. Radiation emitted during fluoroscopic procedures is responsible for the greatest radiation dose for medical staff. Radiation from diagnostic imaging modalities, such as computed tomography, mammography, and nuclear imaging, are minor contributors to the cumulative dose exposures of healthcare personnel. However, any radiation exposure poses a potential risk to both patients and healthcare workers alike.

The aims of study: To evaluate the knowledge and practices of physicians in terms of radioprotection of patients when prescribing computed tomography (CT) procedures.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in which a questionnaire with 23 multiple-choice questions was sent to prescribers of CT examinations such as radiotherapists (RMs), other medical specialists (OMSs), general practitioners (GPs) and residents/interns (R/Is). The first eight questions asked about the demographics of the participants, while the remaining questions asked about knowledge of ionizing radiation examinations, doses received, relative risks, and patient radiation safety training.

Results:223 physicians in all took part in a survey. The reference group, radiation therapists, knew more about irradiating and non-irradiating imaging than the other groups (P ¼ 0.003). In contrast to the other groups, 67% of the reference group stated that they consider the number of scans the patient has had in the past year (P ¼ 0.002). Additionally, just 2% of the various groups had a worldwide understanding of the dangers of ionizing radiation exposure (P ¼ 0.73). Just 12% of the participants, regardless of their seniority or area of expertise, told the patient about the hazards of X-rays at the time of prescription.  Finally, only 21% of the participants declared having had training in radiation protection, with no significant differences between the subgroups (P ¼ 0.832).

Conclusions: The results are comparable to those of earlier research. They demonstrate that prescribers are not well-informed on the dangers of CT exams. Physicians' ongoing professional development should be strengthened, and interns' introductory curriculum should include training on patient radiation protection.