Awareness of Risks Associated with the Use of Plain X-Ray, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Among Emergency Physicians and Comparison with that of Other Physicians: A Survey from Turkey

Abstract

BackgroundIncreased use of radiological imaging in all departments of medicine, especially in the Emergency Department, requires that physicians have a high level of knowledge regarding commonly used imaging methods and high awareness of the risks of examinations.Material/MethodsThe physicians were divided into 5 groups according to their specialties as emergency medicine physicians (EMPs), physicians from any specialty of internal sciences, physicians from any specialty of surgical sciences, general practitioners (GPs), and radiologists. A total of 700 physicians answered the questionnaire via email.Results15.7% of EMPs reported that they did not routinely perform any risk assessment before requesting computed tomography (CT); the rate was 17.9% for direct radiography and 29.3% for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The proportions of physicians who do not routinely perform risk assessments for direct radiography, CT, and MRI were as follows: 16.4%, 8.6%, and 19.3% in physicians from medical sciences, respectively; 25%, 22.9%, and 35% in physicians from surgical sciences, respectively; 24.3%, 14.3%, and 37.1% in GPs, respectively; and 27.1%, 22.1% and 37.1% in radiologists, respectively. In all radiological examinations, 1.4% of EMPs and ≤1.4% of other physicians routinely explain the risks associated with the imaging method to the patients, and discuss the risks and benefits of the imaging with the patients.ConclusionsAll physicians, including EMPs, need to undergo urgent training to increase their knowledge on risks of imaging methods and discussion of existing risks with patients.

Assessment of the knowledge and attitude regarding magnetic resonance imaging safety among the general population in Saudi Arabia

“…However, very few physicians provided information regarding the risks of imaging methods to the patients (Demir and Akkas, 2019).…”

Acil servisten istenen radyolojik görüntüleme incelemelerinin etkinliğinin değerlendirilmesi

“…MRG kullanımında AB ortalamasında artış %38 olurken, Türkiye'de %134 artış oldu. 13 Acil servislerde ise, Oğuz ve ark'ının çalışmasında 1998 yılında acil servise başvuran hasta sayısı 2000 yılında %3,6 artış gösterirken, BT istem sıklığında %69 artış izlenmiştir. Çalışmada kranial, maksillofasial ve servikal BT görüntülemelerinde, 2000 yılında normal sonuçlar artış gösterirken, majör bulgularda ve minör bulgularda azalma izlenmiştir 14 .…”

Utilization trend of magnetic resonance imaging examinations in an academic emergency department and the weekend effect

“…Radiological imaging methods are one of the vital parts of diagnostic evaluation, along with physical examination, anamnesis, and laboratory studies. With technological developments in the past thirty years, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have become widespread worldwide and have gained crucial importance in the evaluation of patients [1][2][3][4][5]. Currently, there is a rapid trend towards advanced imaging methods in patients' diagnostic processes, especially in areas such as the emergency department (ED), where patient density is high and patient evaluation time is very limited [1,6].…”