Assessing local patients' knowledge and awareness of radiation dose and risks associated with medical imaging: a questionnaire study.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the awareness of radiation dose and associated risks caused by radiological procedures among local patients. METHODS: All subjects were recruited by randomly sampling the patients receiving radiological examinations. These subjects were stratified on age, sex and education. The questionnaire was in Chinese and consisted of 28 questions mostly in multiple choice/true-or-false format, divided into three sections examining demographic data, radiation knowledge/awareness and expectations. RESULTS: A total of 173 questionnaires were returned (83 females and 84 females; mean age of 53). Of these, 32.6% had attended college, 32.6% had completed matriculation and 24.4% secondary school. Most subjects underwent CT (75), MRI (70) and PET-CT (18). Education significantly affected the radiation knowledge (P = 0.013). 60.7% and 32.7% were not aware of the radiation-free nature of MRI and USG, respectively. Respectively, 45.4% and 43.5% were of the misconception that Barium enema and Barium swallow studies do not involve radiation. Moreover, 77.6% and 87.9% were aware of the radiation-laden nature of CT and plain X-rays, respectively. Furthermore, 34% and 50%, respectively, think that they are not exposed to radiation at home and on a plane. Regarding the fatal cancer risk from CT, 17.8% chose the correct answer and 62% underestimated the risk. 32.2% correctly estimated the equivalent dose of CT in terms of number of conventional X-rays and 43.2% underestimated the dose. Most (98.2%) were told of the indication, and 42.7% were told the associated radiation dose. CONCLUSION: Patient radiation awareness is unsatisfactory. There is need to increase patient radiation awareness, and to provide them with the necessary information.

A questionnaire study assessing local physicians, radiologists and interns' knowledge and practice pertaining to radiation exposure related to radiological imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess the knowledge and practice pertaining to radiation exposure related to radiological imaging among medical doctors, in relation to specialty and year of experience. METHODOLOGY: Questionnaires as recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) were distributed to doctors in tertiary hospitals by convenience sampling. Their knowledge of radiation doses of common radiological investigations was assessed by any significant difference from correct answers by sampled t-test. Comparison between specialties and between the more (>6 years experience) and less experienced doctors was made by pairwise comparisons of 'right answer minus mean difference (RMD)' using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Descriptive analysis of their knowledge of harmful effects of radiation and the practices pertaining were also performed. RESULTS: Total 93 questionnaires were sent out and 82 (88.2%, 40 interns, 24 clinicians, 18 radiologists) were returned. Radiologists had the least deviation from correct answers compared to interns (1.29 vs. 2.40, p=0.018) and physicians (1.29 vs. 2.57, p=0.046). More-experienced doctors also performed better than the less-experienced (1.69 vs. 2.57, p=0.027). 12/80 (15%) and 4/80 (5%) failed to recognize MR and US as radiation-free modalities. Only 10/80 (12.5%) knew the risk of carcinogenesis from abdominal CT and only 4/81 (5%) will discuss radiation-related hazard with patients routinely. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of medical doctors, including radiologists, towards radiation exposure of imaging is unsatisfactory and could imply a tendency of radiation misuse and under-utilization of alternative radiation-free methods. On-job training and discussion of the radiation risk with patients are advised.