Korean J Radiol.  2012 Apr;13(2):202-209. 10.3348/kjr.2012.13.2.202.

Radiology Residents' Awareness about Ionizing Radiation Doses in Imaging Studies and Their Cancer Risk during Radiological Examinations

• Divrik Gokce S
• Gokce E
• Coskun M

• KMID: 1245385
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2012.13.2.202

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Imaging methods that use ionizing radiation have been more frequent in various medical fields with advances in imaging technology. The aim of our study was to make residents be aware of the radiation dose they are subjected to when they conduct radiological imaging methods, and of cancer risk.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 364 residents participated in this descriptive study which was conducted during the period between October, 2008 and January, 2009. The questionnaires were completed under strict control on a one-to-one basis from each department. A chi2-test was used for the evaluation of data obtained.
RESULTS
Only 7% of residents correctly answered to the question about the ionizing radiation dose of a posteroanterior (PA) chest X-ray. The question asking about the equivalent number of PA chest X-rays to the ionizing dose of a brain CT was answered correctly by 24% of residents; the same question regarding abdominal CT was answered correctly by 16% of residents, thorax CT by 16%, thyroid scintigraphy by 15%, intravenous pyelography by 9%, and lumbar spine radiography by 2%. The risk of developing a cancer throughout lifetime by a brain and abdominal CT were 33% and 28%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Radiologic residents should have updated knowledge about radiation dose content and attendant cancer risks of various radiological imaging methods during both basic medical training period and following practice period.

Keyword

Residents; Radiological imaging methods; Ionizing radiation, Risk of cancer

MeSH Terms

Adult
*Awareness
Chi-Square Distribution
Female
Humans
*Internship and Residency
Male
Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced/*etiology
Questionnaires
*Radiation Dosage
Radiation, Ionizing
Radiology/*education
Radionuclide Imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

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