Perception of Radiation Exposure and Risk among Patients, Medical Students, and Referring Physicians at a Tertiary Care Community Hospital

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal - Tập 64 - Trang 208-212 - 2013
Michelle L. Ricketts1, Mark O. Baerlocher2, Murray R. Asch3, Andy Myers3
1Radiology Residency Training Program, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
2Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
3Diagnostic Imaging, Lakeridge Health Corporation, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Tóm tắt

Background It is important for physicians to be aware of the radiation doses as well as the risks associated with diagnostic imaging procedures that they are ordering. Methods A survey was administered to patients, medical students, and referring physicians from a number of specialties to determine background knowledge regarding radiation exposure and risk associated with commonly ordered medical imaging tests. Results A total of 127 patients, 32 referring physicians, and 30 medical students completed the survey. The majority of patients (92%) were not informed of the radiation risks associated with tests that they were scheduled to receive and had false perceptions about the use of radiation and its associated risks. Physicians and medical students had misconceptions about the use of ionizing radiation in a number of radiologic examinations; for example, 25% and 43% of physicians and medical students, respectively, were unaware that interventional procedures used ionizing radiation, and 28% of physicians were unaware that mammography used ionizing radiation. Computed tomographies and barium studies were thought to be associated with the least ionizing radiation among physicians. Conclusion There is a need for educating the public, medical students, and referring physicians about radiation exposure and associated risk so that (1) patients receiving multiple medical imaging tests are aware of the radiation that they are receiving and (2) physicians and future physicians will make informed decisions when ordering such tests to limit the amount of radiation that patients receive and to promote informed consent among patients.

Tài liệu tham khảo

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Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal

Tập 64

208-212

Thông tin tác giả