The Effectiveness of a Radiation Safety Training Program in Increasing the Radiation Safety Knowledge of Physicians: A Pilot Study

authors:

avatar Azam Janati Esfahani ORCID 1 , * , avatar Reihaneh Mehrabi 2 , avatar Nematollah Gheibi ORCID 1 , avatar reza paydar 3 , avatar Masoome Aliakbari 4 , avatar Fateme Sadat Bagheri 4 , avatar Samane Heshmati 4 , avatar Elmira Mohammadi 4 , avatar Zahra Sadat Seyedi Gilavan 4 , avatar Mahla Gangi 4

Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Department of Pure Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.
Department of Radiation Sciences, Radiation Biology Research Centre, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Student Research Committee, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Journal of Inflammatory Diseases: Vol.24, issue 1; 32-43
article type: issue_documents_importer

how to cite: Janati Esfahani A, Mehrabi R, Gheibi N, paydar R, Aliakbari M, et al. The Effectiveness of a Radiation Safety Training Program in Increasing the Radiation Safety Knowledge of Physicians: A Pilot Study. J Inflamm Dis. 2020;24(1):e156199. 

Abstract

Background: Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation are widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Considering the potential risks of radiation, radiation safety training courses are important for medical staff. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of one-day radiation safety training program in increasing the radiation safety knowledge of physicians. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, subjects were 12 physicians (6 general practitioners and 6 non-radiologist specialists) participated in the training program organized by Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2018. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for surveying physicians before and after the training. The mean and standard deviation of the scores were first calculated. Then, the pre- and post-test scores were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the correlation of these scores with their age, gender, expertise area, and work experience was examined by Spearman's correlation test. Findings: The mean total scores of the physicians before and after training were 7.00±2.56 (ranged 3-11) and 11.92± 2.31 (ranged 8-15) out of 18, respectively. The radiation safety knowledge of physicians significantly increased after training (P<0.001). No significant relationship was found between their scores and their age, gender, expertise area and work experience. Conclusion: The radiation safety training program was effective in increasing the radiation safety knowledge of physicians and it can be used for a larger community of physicians.

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