Abstract
Background Clinical imaging guidelines (CIGs) are suitable tools to enhance justification of imaging procedures. Objective To assess physicians' knowledge on irradiation, their self-perception of imaging prescriptions, and the use of CIGs. Materials and Methods A questionnaire of 21 items was self-administered between July and August 2016 to 155 referring physicians working in seven university-affiliated hospitals in Yaoundé and Douala (Cameroon). This pretested questionnaire based on imaging referral practices, the use and the need of CIGs, knowledge on radiation doses of 11 specific radiologic procedures, and knowledge of injurious effects of radiation was completed in the presence of the investigator. Scores were allocated for each question. Results 155 questionnaires were completed out of 180 administered (86.1%). Participants were 90 (58%) females, 63 (40.64%) specialists, 53 (34.20%) residents/interns, and 39 (25.16%) general practitioners. The average professional experience was 7.4 years (1–25 years). The mean knowledge score was 11.5/59 with no influence of sex, years of experience, and professional category. CIGs users' score was better than nonusers (means 14.2 versus 10.6; p < 0.01). 80% of physicians (124/155) underrated radiation doses of routine imaging exams. Seventy-eight (50.3%) participants have knowledge on CIGs and half of them made use of them. “Impact on diagnosis” was the highest justification criteria follow by “impact on treatment decision.” Unjustified requests were mainly for “patient expectation or will” or for “research motivations.” 96% of interviewees believed that making available national CIGs will improve justification. Conclusion Most physicians did not have appropriate awareness about radiation doses for routine imaging procedures. A small number of physicians have knowledge on CIGs but they believe that making available CIGs will improve justification of imaging procedures. Continuous trainings on radiation protection and implementation of national CIGs are therefore recommended.
Highlights
The medical use of ionizing radiation is becoming the most significant man-made source of exposure for the population in the western world and in developing countries [1, 2]
Many studies on radiation protection established the poor knowledge of medical professionals on standards and principles of radiation protection [6, 8, 9]. This is enhanced by the lack of training on radiation protection and the absence of “guide for better use of medical imaging procedure” [10]
The level of awareness of clinicians in Cameroon of irradiation during imaging procedure is very low and superficial and this affects the quality of their imaging prescriptions
Summary
The medical use of ionizing radiation is becoming the most significant man-made source of exposure for the population in the western world and in developing countries [1, 2]. In a community-based level, to reduce the burden of medical imaging radiation, we need to apply the two cornerstones of radiation protection of patient which are justification and optimization of exposures. This concerns all the steps of the imaging process starting from the elaboration of the request forms by referring physicians to the validation, realization, and interpretation of the imaging examinations. A questionnaire of 21 items was self-administered between July and August 2016 to 155 referring physicians working in seven university-affiliated hospitals in Yaoundeand Douala (Cameroon) This pretested questionnaire based on imaging referral practices, the use and the need of CIGs, knowledge on radiation doses of 11 specific radiologic procedures, and knowledge of injurious effects of radiation was completed in the presence of the investigator. Continuous trainings on radiation protection and implementation of national CIGs are recommended
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