Assessment of awareness of radiation protection and knowledge of radiation dose among 5th year medical students and radiology residents at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand

Inmutto N; Sripusanapan  A; Jariyawattana  K; Natee D; Pichcha  T; Tirisara E

Authors

Inmutto N Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Sripusanapan A Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Jariyawattana K Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Natee D Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Pichcha T Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Tirisara E Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand

Keywords:

CXR, medical students, radiation dose, radiation protection

Abstract

Objectives Our study aimed to assess the awareness of radiation protection and knowledge of radiation dose of 5^th year medical students and radiology residents.

Methods Forty-seven 5^th year medical students and 18 radiology residents participated in this survey during July 10-17, 2019. Participation was voluntary and the identity of the respondents was kept anonymous. The participants were asked to complete the questionnaire via Google forms within a period of 15 minutes.

Results The survey found that 48.9% of 5^th year medical students and 61.1% of radiology residents felt they had sufficient knowledge of ionizing radiation protection. Counting one point for a correct answers and zero points for a wrong answer, the overall mean score of the 5^th year medical students was 6.2 out of a possible 16 with a standard deviation of 2.2. The overall mean score of the radiology residents was 7.9 out of 16 with a standard deviation of 2.1. Only 14.9% of the medical students and 38.9% of the radiology residents knew about stochastic radiation damage. However, 57.4% of the medical students and 88.9% of the radiology residents did know about the “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) concept. Fifty percent of the medical students did not know that MRI and ultrasound do not produce ionizing radiation.

Conclusion There is evidence of inadequate awareness of radiation protection and knowledge of radiation doses among both 5^th year medical students and radiology residents at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand. To improve this situation, adding theoretical and practical modules to the standard curricula should be considered.

References

Smith-Bindman R, Miglioretti DL, Johnson E, Lee C, Feigelson HS, Flynn M, et al. Use of diagnostic imaging studies and associated radiation exposure for patients enrolled in large integrated health care systems, 1996-2010. JAMA. 2012;307:2400-9.

Berrington de Gonzalez A, Mahesh M, Kim KP, Bhargavan M, Lewis R, Mettler F, et al. Projected cancer risks from computed tomographic scans performed in the United States in 2007. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:2071-7.

Fabritius G, Brix G, Nekolla E, Klein S, Popp HD, Meyer M, et al. Cumulative radiation exposure from imaging procedures and associated lifetime cancer risk for patients with lymphoma. Sci Rep. 2016;6:35181.

Pearce MS, Salotti JA, Little MP, McHugh K, Lee C, Kim KP, et al. Radiation exposure from CT scans in childhood and subsequent risk of leukaemia and brain tumours: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2012; 380:499-505.

Abuelhia E. Awareness of ionizing radiation exposure among junior doctors and senior medical students in radiological investigations. J Radiol Prot. 2017;37:59-67.

Faggioni L, Paolicchi F, Bastiani L, Guido D, Caramella D. Awareness of radiation protection and dose levels of imaging procedures among medical students, radiography students, and radiology residents at an academic hospital: Results of a comprehensive survey. Eur J Radiol. 2017;86:135-42.

Kada S. Awareness and knowledge of radiation dose and associated risks among final year medical students in Norway. Insights Imaging. 2017;8:599-605.

Soye JA, Paterson A. A survey of awareness of radiation dose among health professionals in Northern Ireland. Br J Radiol. 2008;81:725-9.

Paolicchi F, Miniati F, Bastiani L, Faggioni L, Ciaramella A, Creonti I, et al. Assessment of radiation protection awareness and knowledge about radiological examination doses among Italian radiographers. Insights Imaging. 2016;7:233-42.

O’Sullivan J, O’Connor OJ, O’Regan K, Clarke B, Burgoyne LN, Ryan MF, et al. An assessment of medical students’ awareness of radiation exposures associated with diagnostic imaging investigations. Insights Imaging. 2010;1:86-92.

Scali E, Mayo J, Nicolaou S, Kozoriz M, Chang S. Senior medical students’ awareness of radiation risks from common diagnostic imaging examinations. Can Med Educ J. 2017;8:e31-41.