Assessment of Physicians’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Radiation Safety at Suez Canal University Hospital, Egypt

Abstract

Doctors who request imaging must be well trained in deciding whether diagnostic imaging is indicated and have an accurate knowledge of the associated risks. Although radiological doses are low and the chance of late effect is minimal, it should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. This cannot be achieved without a proper knowledge and adherence to safe practices. This cross-sectional study investigates the level of physicians' knowledge about radiation safety and their attitude towards radiation protection. A self-administered questionnaire, for radiation safety was sent to a purposive sample of 120 physicians at Suez Canal University Hospital. Eighty questionnaires were filled by participants (response rate; 66.7%). The sample included 22 radiologists, 15 oncologists, 25 surgeons and 18 orthopedists. Most participants did not receive any radiation safety-related training (88.8%). Radiologists and oncologists were exposed to ionizing radiation more frequently; however, their knowledge was as low as that of other physicians. The overall knowledge score ranged from 40%-60% (mean; 56.5 ± 15.2), with a low score among surgeons and orthopedics. The most deficient knowledge was in the dose of background radiation and the radiation dose received by patients in each type of radiation procedure. Adherence to safe radiation practices was violated by most of participants, especially surgeons and orthopedics, but they attributed it to the poor applicability of the protective measures during performing the procedures. This study concluded that physicians at the Suez Canal University Hospital had deficient knowledge, unsafe practices and negative attitude towards radiation safety policies & precautions.

Assessment of Awareness and Practice of Ionizing Radiation Protection Procedures Among Exposed Health Care Workers

“…Regarding the effect of occupation on practice of radiation protection ( Table 5), Abdellah et al (2015) in their study on assessment of physicians' knowledge, attitude and practices of radiation safety at Suez Canal University Hospital found inadequate practice among physicians and they found only half of the physicians were using lead gloves which was contrary to our results.…”

“…Other Egyptian studies reported inadequate use of safety measures and practices in most ionizing radiation facilities (Abdellah et al, 2015 andEl-Feky et al, 2017) This research was carried out because it was noted that the level of awareness of the dangerous exposure to high levels of radiation by some health care workers in radiology departments was not adequate. Some neglected the use of personal dosimeters and others did not receive them.…”

Radiation awareness among physicians about the hazards of radiological examinations on the health of workers and their patients in Saudi Arabia

“…The aim of the present work was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of physicians about the hazards of radiological examinations on the health of workers and their patients in Saudi Arabia. Several studies estimate the knowledge and awareness of physicians about the hazards of radiological examinations in Asia, Africa and Europe (Abdellah, Attia, Fouad, & Abdel-Halim, 2015;Alhasan, 2016;Hamarsheh & Ahmead, 2012;Illian, 2011;Madrigano, Abrão, Puchnick, & Regacini, 2014;Sin et al, 2013;Sundaran, 2017;Zewdneh, Dellie, & Ayele, 2012). Some of these studies showed a lack of knowledge and awareness in radiation protection such as African physicians (Abdellah et al, 2015).…”

“…Several studies estimate the knowledge and awareness of physicians about the hazards of radiological examinations in Asia, Africa and Europe (Abdellah, Attia, Fouad, & Abdel-Halim, 2015;Alhasan, 2016;Hamarsheh & Ahmead, 2012;Illian, 2011;Madrigano, Abrão, Puchnick, & Regacini, 2014;Sin et al, 2013;Sundaran, 2017;Zewdneh, Dellie, & Ayele, 2012). Some of these studies showed a lack of knowledge and awareness in radiation protection such as African physicians (Abdellah et al, 2015). In addition, this study will compare the different background knowledge for physicians from different countries, including Saudis working in Saudi Arabia.…”

Evaluation of Attitudes and Knowledge of Teachers Regarding the Concept of Radiation

“…Bu nedenle hedef kitle olarak ilköğretim öğretmenleri seçilmiştir. Radyasyonun etkilerine karşı yapılan duyarlılık, farkındalık, algı ve çeşitli bilgilendirme çalışmaları olmakla beraber (Miller, 1968;Eijkelhof, Klaassen ve Millar, 1990;Togay, 2002;Prabhat, Sudhakar, Kumar ve Ramaraju, 2011;Mavi, 2008;Prather, 2005;Bakaç, Kartal Taşoğlu ve Usta, 2012;Bakaç, Kartal Taşoğlu, Çınar ve Dönmez, 2012;Abdellah, Attia, Fouad ve Abdel-Halim, 2015) alan yazında bu konuda yeterli sayıda çalışma da bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışma; İlkokul ve ortaokulda çalışan öğretmenlerin radyasyon kavramı hakkında bilgi düzeyleri ve radyasyona karşı tutumlarının mevcut durumlarını tespit etmeği amaçlamıştır.…”