Abstract
The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to analyze whether the education of radiology personnel mandated by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) affects the quality of care delivered to radiology patients. One area of radiology quality of care was focused on the findings presented in this study: radiation dosage. Three groups of study participants were used. The participants were chosen and divided into groups based on their radiology background, non-radiology medical background, or lack of medical background. All study participants were required to complete an assessment asking participants what radiation dosage and shields they would use for a standard set of radiographic examinations. A training video was shown to those participants with no radiology background prior to the assessment. The data provided by each group was compared to determine similarities and variances between the groups and ANOVA calculations were completed. Differences were found between the assessments completed by members of all three groups. The results support the perception that ARRT-mandated education does affect radiation dosage chosen in the care of radiology patients.
Highlights
Radiology is a field of medicine that requires the use of ionizing radiation (1)
The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to analyze whether the education of radiology personnel mandated by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) affects the quality of care delivered to radiology patients
This study compared the quality of care delivered by health care professionals in the United States who received ARRT-mandated radiology education to the quality of care delivered by individuals who received on-the-job radiology training
Summary
Radiology is a field of medicine that requires the use of ionizing radiation (1). If used improperly, ionizing radiation can cause significant harm to those administering and receiving the radiation (2). The medical office will choose other medical professionals to receive on -the-job training to operate the x-ray equipment on staff to perform the examinations most ordered by the physicians Sometimes this training is provided by ARRT certified x-ray technologists, and sometimes the training is provided by another medical professional who underwent on-thejob training. These individuals may be required to complete competency examinations developed by the individual practice or facility (20). ARRT-mandated education programs educate students on how x-rays are generated, and the calculations involved with determining the proper mAs and kVp to use for limiting the radiation dose (24)
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