International Atomic Energy Agency study with referring physicians on patient radiation exposure and its tracking: a prospective survey using a web-based questionnaire

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the following themes among referring physicians: (A) importance of acquiring information about previous diagnostic exposures; (B) knowledge about radiation doses involved, familiarity with radiation units and, age-related radiosensitivity; (C) opinion on whether patients should be provided information about radiation dose and (D) self-assessment of appropriateness of referrals.DesignA prospective survey using a web-based questionnaire.SettingInternational survey among referring physicians.ParticipantsReferring physicians from 28 countries.Main outcome measuresKnowledge, opinion and practice of the four themes of the survey.ResultsAll 728 responses from 28 countries (52.3% from developed and 47.7% from developing countries) indicated that while the vast majority (71.7%) of physicians feel that being aware of history of CT scans would always or mostly lead them to a better decision on referring patients for CT scans, only 43.4% often enquire about it. The majority of referring physicians (60.5%) stated that having a system that provides quick information about patient exposure history would be useful. The knowledge about radiation doses involved is poor, as only one-third (34.7%) of respondents chose the correct option of the number of chest x-rays with equivalence of a CT scan. In total, 70.9% of physicians stated that they do not feel uncomfortable when patients ask about radiation risk from CT scans they prescribe. Most physicians (85.6%) assessed that they have rarely prescribed CT scans of no clinical use in patient management.ConclusionsThis first ever multinational survey among referring physicians from 28 countries indicates support for a system that provides radiation exposure history of the patient, demonstrates poor knowledge about radiation doses, supports radiation risk communication with patients and mandatory provisions for justification of a CT examination.

The Knowledge of Radiation and the Attitude Towards Radio-Protection among Urology Residents in India

“…To find what is actually done, how much is gained by students and how much they apply is really a concern. Few studies conducted in various countries have used similar questionnaires to find out the knowledge and attitudes of medical personnel and have revealed disappointing results [10][11][12][13]. The studies call for urgent measures to impart education about radiation safety and implementation of adequate measures to decrease radiation exposure [14,15].…”

Awareness regarding radiation knowledge among clinicians practicing in Bharatpur, Nepal

“…Clinical professionals are competent in estimating clinical benefits to an individual patient from a radiological procedure. 3 However, it is highly important to undertake the associated radiation risk. The radiation protection principles, as laid down by ICRP are justification and optimization.…”

Patient radiation exposure and dose tracking: a perspective

“…This was evident from the IAEA surveys among referring physicians from 28 countries wherein the vast majority (71.7%) of physicians felt that being aware of the history of CT scans would always or mostly lead them to a better decision on referring patients for CT scans. 23 The risk of not performing the examination should be part of decisionmaking. The risk of an airplane accident may be same when one is flying for the first time or the 10th time, but a recent airplane accident does create an impact on the mind and the number of passengers suddenly drops.…”

“…Any amount of additional information can be very helpful, as is evident from the first-ever multinational survey among referrers that IAEA conducted. 23 The aim was to survey opinions of referrers on the importance of acquiring information about previous diagnostic exposures. 23 Seven hundred and twenty-eight referrers from 28 countries responded (52.3% from developed and 47.7% from developing countries).…”

“…23 The aim was to survey opinions of referrers on the importance of acquiring information about previous diagnostic exposures. 23 Seven hundred and twenty-eight referrers from 28 countries responded (52.3% from developed and 47.7% from developing countries). The vast majority (71.7%) of physicians feel that being aware of the previous history of CT scans would always or mostly lead them to a better decision on referring a patient for a CT scan, but only 43.4% often enquired about it.…”