Risk perception and feeling of worry of radiation exposure at work : A case of radiologic technologists in South Korea

Abstract

Background:Despite increasing concerns about radiologic technologists (RT), the occupational group exposed to the highest dose of radiation worldwide, little is known about the factors affecting their thoughts and feelings of risk at work. Aims: To fill this gap, this study attempted to (1) identify key variables predicting perceived risk and worry among RT, and (2) provide implications for improving organizational communications between health experts including RT and managers. Methods: A nationwide representative survey of RT (N=585) was conducted in 2012 using a stratified multistage random sampling design. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected by face to face interviews. Questionnaires consisted of (1) risk ratings, (2) risk perception of radiation exposure at work (3) affect, value, trust(e.g. toward experts), worry and intention to quit RT work, and (4) job related factors(e.g. tenure) as well as demographic variables Results:For RT that routinely working with radiation technologies and equipment, neutral (53.7%) or positive (31.7%) rather than negative (14.6%) affective image of radiation risk was dominant. Risk of radiation exposure was differently perceived: it was the second-lowest as a general risk, but ranked in the top three when it was considered as ‘my risk’. Results of multiple regressions showed that ‘organizational trust’, the extent to which RTs believe in their hospital’s efforts for timely and effective risk management of radiation exposure, was the strongest predictors of both risk perception and worry of radiation exposure at work. Conclusions: Consistent with the literature on risk perception, findings of this study suggested that the same risk can mean different things in different contexts. In particular, this study highlighted the importance of organizational trust in risk perception and job related worry. For a healthier occupational environment, hospital managers need to be aware that trust can play a role in work safety and psychological well-being among health experts.