Consultants knowledge and awareness about radiation exposure in diagnostic radiology in Central India.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, awareness and attitude of consultants about radiation hazards in diagnostic radiology and to describe their practice with regard to informing patients at risk. Methods: Prospective questionnaire based observational study performed between July and December 2013, conducted in two different university education and research centres, two private research hospitals and four outpatients' clinics of Central India. The questionnaire was administered to 220 consultants. Data was analysed using EPI INFO 2007 Results: 205 consultants (93%) completed the questionnaire. The overall mean knowledge score was 59.3%. Mean knowledge score was 60.23% for senior doctors and 56.89% for junior doctors, but this was not found to be significant (P=0.2107). Almost more than three-quarters of consultants (91.2%) underestimated the radiation dose in CT scan of abdomen. Most doctors (75%) though that one CT scan increase the life time risk of developing cancer and 25% consultants said that there was no increased cancer risk. MRI and Ultrasound was wrongly associated with ionizing radiation by 24.39% and 26.83% of consultants respectively. The frequency at which doctors would inform patients of the risk of radiation varied greatly depending on the clinical scenario. Conclusions: There was lack of awareness and relatively poor knowledge among the consultants which may lead them to request more tests and thus increasing the radiation exposure load on the patients. Consultants should receive education, and the request form should display radiation dose and associated risk.