engleski

Radiation protection knowledge among professionals performing interventional procedures

Purpose or Learning Objective: Purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of the physicians and radiographers regarding radiation protection of staff and patients in interventional procedures. Methods and Background: Questionnaire based on various recommendations issued by professional societies in the field of interventional radiology and cardiology was developed and disseminated among physicians and radiographers who perform interventional procedures at university hospitals. Questions were related to individual exposure monitoring, means of staff and patient radiation protection and previous ways of acquiring the knowledge. At the same time, the questionnaire gave the participant of the survey the opportunity to assess his/her own knowledge. Results or Findings: The questionnaire was answered by 80 professionals from four university hospitals. Almost half of the participants gained their knowledge from older colleagues and more than three quarters of them self-assessed their knowledge as insufficient. Similar knowledge of physician and radiographers was found but working experience in interventional suite was important. Also, level of the knowledge is lower in specialities other than radiology and/or cardiology. In hospitals where medical physicist is available better results were achieved in case of both, physicians and radiographers. Conclusion: Quality of education on radiation protection of both, physicians and radiographers involved in interventional procedures should be improved and availability of medical physicist in hospitals where those procedures are performed should be encouraged. Special emphasis should be on education in case of those specialities whose main focus is not on radiology and/or cardiology.

Radioprotection / Radiation dose, Fluoroscopy, Radiation safety, Education and training

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