Knowledge on radiation emergency preparedness among nuclear medicine technologists

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the knowledge of nuclear medicine technologists (NMTs) in radiation emergency preparedness and response operations and their willingness to participate in such operations. A survey was developed for this purpose and distributed to NMTs in Saudi Arabia. Sixty participants responded with a response rate of 63.31%. Based on the overall radiation protection knowledge related to emergency response, NMTs can perform radiation detection, population monitoring, patient decontamination, and assist with radiological dose assessments during radiation emergencies. There were no significant differences in the knowledge on the use of scintillation gamma camera (P=0.314), well counter (P=0.744), Geiger counter (P=0.935), thyroid probes (P=0.980), portable monitor (P=0.830), or portable multichannel analyzer (P=0.413) and years of experience. Approximately 44% of the respondents reported receiving emergency preparedness training in the last 5 years. Respondents who reported receiving training were significantly more familiar with the emergency preparedness resources (P=0.031) and more willing to assist with radiation detection or monitoring in the event of nuclear reactor accident (P=0.016), nuclear weapon detonation (P=0.002), and dirty bomb detonation (P=0.003). These findings indicate the importance of training and continuing education in radiological emergency preparedness and response, which increase the willingness to respond to radiological accidents and fill the gaps in NMTs' knowledge and familiarity with response resources.