Radiation Safety Knowledge and Perceptions among Residents: A Potential Improvement Opportunity for Graduate Medical Education in the United States

Abstract

<h3>Rationale and Objectives</h3> To investigate residents' knowledge of adverse effects of ionizing radiation, frequency of their education on radiation safety, and their use of radioprotective equipment. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> Residents from 15/16 residency programs at Emory University were asked to complete a resident radiation safety survey through SurveyMonkey^®. The associations between the residents' knowledge and use of radioprotective equipment with residents' specialty and year of training were investigated. <h3>Results</h3> Response rate was 32.5% (173/532 residents). Thirty-nine percent residents reported radiation safety is discussed in their residency curriculum at least every 6 months. Ninety-five percent believed in a link between radiation exposure and development of cancer. Overall and Radiology residents' knowledge about specific estimated dose effects (correct responses) was limited: radiation dose associated with fetus brain malformation in pregnancy (10% vs. 26%), risk of developing cataract in interventional personnel (27% vs. 47%), lifetime risk of cancer mortality from a single abdominal computed tomography (CT) in children (22% vs. 29%), greater radiosensitivity of children compared to adults (35% vs. 50%), and relative radiation dose from an abdominal CT compared to a chest x-ray (51% vs. 48%). Radiology residents had modestly higher knowledge. There was no significant difference in residents' knowledge across their postgraduate training years. Use of lead thyroid shields was reported by 86% (97% radiology vs. 80% nonradiology; <i>P</i> = .03) and radiation-monitoring badges in 39% (68% radiology vs. 15% nonradiology; <i>P</i> < .001) of the residents. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Although radiology residents scored higher, knowledge of radiation safety for patients and healthcare workers is limited among residents regardless of medical specialty. These findings emphasize the need for educational initiatives.