Survey on frequency of medical X-ray diagnosis in Guangdong province

Abstract

Objective To obtain the information on the frequency of diagnostic X-ray examinations in Guangdong province in order to provide reference data for the rational application of diagnostic radiology. Methods A typical stratified sampling method was used to select 56 medical institutions in 7 districts in Guangdong province for the survey of the frequencies of diagnostic X-ray examinations. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using the relevant variables of the surveyed sample (total number of hospitals, number of outpatients, number of inpatients, number of radiation workers, and number of diagnostic equipment). The dependent independent variables were fitted to the linear regression equation to estimate the frequency of routine diagnostic X-ray examinations and diagnostic CT examinations and the total frequency of diagnostic medical X-ray examinations in Guangdong province in 2016. Results By the largest percentage contribution, chest radiography accounted for 60.84% of the routine diagnostic X-ray examinations, brain scans 28.03% of diagnostic CT examinations, and cardiovascular interventions 48.83% of interventional radiology. For the group of above 40 years old, the largest percentage contributions were, respectively, routine diagnostic X-ray examination 47.95%, diagnostic CT examinations 65.41%, and interventional radiology 75.64%. All types of medical X-ray examinations are concentrated in the tertiary and secondary hospitals. Based on this survey, the examination frequencies for 2016 in Guangdong were estimated to be, respectively, diagnostic X-ray examination 699 examinations per 1 000 population and CT diagnostic 231 examinations per 1 000 population, with the total of 992 examinations per 1 000 population. Conclusions This survey was completed to a limited degree and less investment. The results showed that the diagnostic radiology in Guangdong province is developing with increased frequencies, with wide varieties of X-ray examination types in the tertiary and secondary hospitals. Relevant competent departments should pay attention to strengthening the radiation protection of examined individuals and actively providing guidance on the correct and rational application of diagnostic radiology so as to achieve profit and avoid disadvantages. Key words: Diagnostic radiology; Medical exposure; Frequency