Risk Communication of Radiation Exposure for Diagnosis: A Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

We investigated how a radiologic technologist explains to a patient about the risk of radiation exposure involved by the radiological examination. In this institutional review board-approved, cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire link was emailed to 650 radiological technologists who are members of the National Hospital Kanto Koshinetsu Radiological Technologist Association. The questions to survey risk communication included the ideal and reality explanation for radiation exposure to patients, the respondent's educational background, and years of experience. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Bonferroni correction as a multiple comparison test. Among the 650 radiological technologists, 245 (37.7%) completed the online questionnaire. The most common response was to compare and convey the doses of radiation during examination and background radiation when asked by a patient about risk. In the cross-analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant difference in what was explained according to educational background. According to years of experience, a significant difference in the content was found about explanation of the risk to patients. We clarified the actual condition of risk communication related to the exposure in radiological examinations. In the future, development of risk communication is expected by improving the knowledge and information of "risk" and giving explanations requested by patients.