Awareness of Radiation Dose and Incurred Risk Among Clinicians at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bahrain

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Literature has raised concern about the inadequate knowledge of radiation dose and risk among referring clinicians for radiological procedures. Therefore, we surveyed to assess the knowledge of radiation protection and dose assessment among clinicians. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey where the link was circulated to 87 clinicians who requested diagnostic radiological imaging. A validated questionnaire consisted of 20 multiple-choice questions divided into three sections, viz, demography, awareness of radiation risk, and knowledge of radiation dose, were asked to reply. Results: A total of 87 physicians from 15 different medical specialties were included in the analysis. Interns had the highest knowledge score in radiation protection (59.5%, P=0.198), while the dose assessment score was highest among radiologists (50.8%, P=0.013). The average knowledge of radiation protection was 43% ± 17%, and awareness of radiation dose was 30% ± 18%. Clinicians having experience >20 years were found with the least score (33.3%) of radiation protection knowledge, while those with <3 years of experience showed a better score (48%, P=0.064). Clinicians who claimed to be attending radiation protection courses regularly were found with better scores of knowledge (47.6%, P=0.340) and dose assessment (37%, P=0.161), although the difference was nonsignificant. Conclusion: The clinician’s knowledge of radiation protection and dose assessment is inadequate which could infer a propensity of the inappropriate use of radiation imaging. There is a substantial need for training/refresher courses to improve the knowledge of radiation dose and consequent risk in order to assure patient safety during radiological examinations. Keywords: Ionizing radiation, Radiation dose, Risk awareness, Radiological examination, Diagnostic imaging