Doctors’ Knowledge Regarding Radiation Dose and Its Associated Risks: Cross-sectional Study in a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia
TY Kew, M Zahiah, SZ Syed Zulkifli, A Noraidatulakma, S Hatta
Hong Kong J Radiol 2012;15:71-9
Objective: Radiological investigations that use ionising radiation pose well-established risks to patients. Doses per patient from computed tomographic examinations constitute large radiation burdens, particularly with recurrent imaging and multidetector machines. Yet, referring doctors often have a poor understanding of these risks. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge regarding medical radiation exposure and its associated risks among non-radiology doctors of all grades at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre.
Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted by convenience sampling, using questionnaires distributed during radiology meetings. Inclusion criteria constituted: any doctor from a non-radiology specialty serving in our institution during the period between June 2006 and January 2007. Doctors affiliated to the radiology department were excluded.
Results:Responses from 178 doctors were analysed. Of these, 7 (4%) and 61 (34%) of the respondents were not aware that ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively, do not emit ionising radiation. Nine (5%) respondents provided accurate dose estimates for commonly requested investigations which utilise ionising radiation, 66 (37%) believed there was an increased cancer risk in adults, whilst 41 (23%) were aware of the increased cancer risk in children.
Conclusion: There was a lack of awareness of radiation doses and risk of carcinogenesis, particularly that among children. There is a need to disseminate information regarding radiation dose and the possible risks to the nonradiology medical community.
中文摘要
一所馬來西亞提供第三層醫療轉介服務的醫院中醫生對於 放射劑量的知識及其相關風險的橫向對比研究
TY Kew, M Zahiah, SZ Syed Zulkifli, A Noraidatulakma, S Hatta
目的：使用電離輻射的放射性檢測會對病人構成風險這事實廣為人知。CT檢查會對病人構成巨大的 輻射負擔，尤其是多次成像及多排螺旋裝置。縱然如此，把病人轉介進行放射性檢測的醫生可能對於此輻射風險的認識不足。本研究評估在馬來西亞國民大學醫療中心內所有職級的非放射科醫生對 於醫療輻射及其相關風險的知識。
方法：本橫向對比研究在放射科會議上利用方便抽樣的方法進行問卷調查。2006年6月至2007年1月 期間所有出席會議的非放射科醫生均被邀請填寫問卷。放射科醫生則不被列入研究範圍。
結果：共分析了178位醫生的問卷回應，當中7位（4%）及61位（34%）回應者分別不知道超聲及 MRI不會放出電離輻射。有9位（5%）回應者能準確地評估常用放射性檢查所放出的電離輻射。66 位（37%）回應者相信放射性檢查會增加成年人患癌的風險，41位（23%）回應者知道放射性檢查會 增加小童患癌的風險。
結論：回應者對於放射劑量的知識及致癌的風險均欠缺認知，尤其是對於小童的相關知識。有需要 向非放射科醫護人員傳遞有關放射劑量及有關風險的知識。