Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement

Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement

Evaluation of radiology Technologist's knowledge about the principles of radiation safety and parameters affecting radiation dose in teaching hospitals of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences

Document Type : Conference Paper

Authors
Marziyeh Tahmasbi 1
Zahra Farzanegan 2
Mohsen Cheki 1
Mohammad Sadegh Ghasemi 1
1 Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran
2 Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Markazi, Iran
Abstract
Due to the performance of all stages of imaging processes with ionizing radiation by radiology technologists, they have an effective role in controlling radiation and preparing quality images. In this regard, their knowledge and job skills are necessary to create images with appropriate quality along with the minimum amount of radiation. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the level of knowledge of radiology technologists about the parameters affecting radiation dose in teaching hospitals of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics of technologists and questions related to the level of knowledge designed by the researchers of the study, with the participation of 94 radiology technologists in the radiology centers of Ahvaz teaching hospitals. Data were analyzed using using SPSS 24 software and ANOVA and two independent samples t-test. In this study, the average self-assessment score of the respondents in all areas of knowledge and skills of radiologists is 75.67 and 67.15%, respectively, and therefore at the desired level. The highest knowledge score was related to choosing the appropriate radiation conditions and the lowest scores were related to how to work with the PACS system. According to radiologists, knowledge of radiography techniques and skills in it is very important. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and knowledge score and type of employment and skill score so that the level of awareness in women was higher than men and people with contract employment gained higher awareness scores. The results of this study showed that the level of knowledge and skills of radiology technologists working in radiology departments of Ahvaz is acceptable. Holding in-service training courses and continuous evaluation of radiologists and providing the necessary conditions to access up-to-date scientific information for them can be effective in optimizing the quality of images and doses received by patients.
Keywords
knowledge
patient dose
radiology technologists
Ahvaz
  1. J. Fatahi Asl, A. Heidari Moghadam, M. H. Haghighizadeh. Assessment of skill of radiographers of specially radiology sciences in educational hospitals of Ahvaz in 2010. Jentashapir J. Health Res. 3 (8) (2012) 437-244.
  2. C. Ferris. Specialism in radiography–a contemporary history of diagnostic radiography. Radiography 15 (2009) e78-e84.
  3. M. R. Tohidniya, F. Amiri, K. Khoshgard, Z. Hormozi Moghadam. Evaluation of the Observance of Radiation Protection Principles in Intensive Care Units at Imam Reza Hospital of Kermanshah. J. Payavard Salamat 10(6) (2017) 470-478.
  4. B. T. Andersson, B. Fridlund, C. Elgán, Å. B. Axelsson. Radiographers’ areas of professional competence related to good nursing care. Scandinavian J. Caring Sci. 2008;22(3):401-9.
  5. J. Sim, A. Radloff. Profession and professionalisation in medical radiation science as an emergent profession. Radiography 15 (3) (2009) 203-208.
  6. C. Cowling. A global overview of the changing roles of radiographers. Radiography 14 (2008) e28-e32.
  7. H. Zarghani. Evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and performance of radiographers towards radiation protection in southern khorasan province. Iran. J. Med. Phys.15(4) (2018) 222-225.
  8. A. S. Shah, N. Begum, S. Nasreen, A. Khan. Assessment of radiation protection awareness levels in medical radiation science technologists-a pilot survey. J. Postgrad. Med. Inst. (Peshawar-Pakistan). 21 (3) (2011) 169-172.
  9. W. -C. Su, Y. -F. Huang, C. -C. Chen, P. -S. Chang. Radiation safety knowledge of medical center radiological technologists in Taiwan. Radiat. Oncol. 50 (2) (2000) 1-3.
  10. A. Badiee Nejad, M. Beit Abdollah, G. Akbari. Assessment of awareness, performance, and attitudes of radiographers toward radiological protective principles in Khuzestan, Iran. J. Health Res. Commun.1 (3) (2015) 16-24.
  11. R. Alipoor, G. Mousavian, A. Abbasnezhad, S. F. Mousavi, G. Haddadi. Knowledge, attitude, and performance of radiographers about the principles of radiation protection and following protective standards in medical imaging centers of hospitals in Fasa in 2015. J. Fasa Univ. Med. Sci. 5 (4) (2016) 564-70.
  12. J. T. Reagan, A. M. Slechta. Factors related to radiation safety practices in California. Radiologic Tech. 81 (6) (2010) 538-547.
  13. A. Chaparian, F. Shamsi, A. Heydari. Assessment of awareness, attitude, and practice of radiographers about radiation protection in Yazd Province. Occupational Med. Quarterly J. 5 (1) (2013)16-23.
  14. M. Mojiri, A. Moghimbeigi. Awareness and attitude of radiographers towards radiation protection. J. Paramedical Sci. 2 (4) (2011) 2-5.
  15. F. Amirzadeh, S. H. R. Tabatabaie. Survey of radiation protection awareness among radiation workers in Shiraz hospitals [Persian]. Iran. J. Nucl. Med.13 (2) (2005) 38-43.
  16. A. Farajollahi, D. Fouladi, M. Ghojazadeh, A. Movafaghi. Radiographers' professional knowledge regarding parameters and safety issues in plain radiography: a questionnaire survey. Br. J. Radiol. 87 (1040) (2014) 20140090.
  17. N. Eyvaz Zadeh, A. Khoshdel, K. Azma, L. F. Factors associated with the exposure radiology staff in Tehran military hospitals 85. J. Calendar Military Health Sci. 6 (1) (2008) 71-73.
  18. E. Tilson. Educational and experiential effects on radiographers' radiation safety behavior. Radiol. Tech. 53 (4) (1982) 321-325.
  19. A. Saberi, M. Haghighizadeh, H. Nikpaik, A. Afrooz. Analysis of causes for reject of x-ray films in radiology departments of Ahvaz Imam Khomeini and Golestan hospitals. Sci. Med. J. Ahvaz Univ. Med. Sci. 43 (2005) 23-30.
  20. L. Keenan, C. Muir, L. Cuthbertson. Maximizing the benefit–minimizing the risk: the developing role of radiographers in performing intravenous injections. Br. J. Radiol.74 (884) (2001) 684-689.
  21. C. Malamateniou. Radiography and research: A United Kingdom perspective. Eur. J. Radiography 1 (1) (2009) 2-6.
  22. J. Yielder, M. Davis. Where radiographers fear to tread: Resistance and apathy in radiography practice. Radiography 15(4) (2009) 345-350.