Mohammad Rawashdeh1, Mark F McEntee2, Maha Zaitoun3, Mostafa Abdelrahman3, Patrick Brennan2, Haytham Alewaidat3, Sarah Lewis2, Charbel Saade4. 1. Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan. Electronic address: marawashdeh@just.edu.jo. 2. Medical Image Optimisation and Perception Group (MIOPeG), Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 3. Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan. 4. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the knowledge and practice of computed tomography (CT) radiographers working in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved study disseminated a questionnaire via social media and recruited 54 Jordanian CT radiographers. The questionnaire comprised 36 questions divided into four sections: demographics; an evaluation of knowledge regarding CT exposure; modifications to CT exposure for paediatric patients; dose units and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Descriptive and inferential statistics including Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, independent samples t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were employed. Statistical significance was considered below p < 0.05. RESULTS: The 54 participants had various qualifications, with the majority holding a Bachelor's degree (n = 35, 64.8%) and the rest holding a Diploma (n = 19, 35.2%). In order to pass the questionnaire, participants needed to score 13 correct answers. The overall number of radiographers who correctly passed the questionnaire was 48 (88.9%). None of the participants correctly stated all the DRL values for chest, abdomen and brain CT. However, four out of 54 respondents (7.4%) knew the chest DRL value, three (5.6%) participants correctly estimated the abdominal DRL value but only two (3.7%) knew the DRL for the brain. CONCLUSION: Good general knowledge was found amongst radiographers regarding the relationship of each exposure parameter to the image quality and patient dose. However, there was poor knowledge of diagnostic reference levels and the order of the organ radiation sensitivity. The need for CT radiographers to undertake further education that focuses on radiation exposure in CT is highlighted.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the knowledge and practice of computed tomography (CT) radiographers working in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved study disseminated a questionnaire via social media and recruited 54 Jordanian CT radiographers. The questionnaire comprised 36 questions divided into four sections: demographics; an evaluation of knowledge regarding CT exposure; modifications to CT exposure for paediatric patients; dose units and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Descriptive and inferential statistics including Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, independent samples t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were employed. Statistical significance was considered below p < 0.05. RESULTS: The 54 participants had various qualifications, with the majority holding a Bachelor's degree (n = 35, 64.8%) and the rest holding a Diploma (n = 19, 35.2%). In order to pass the questionnaire, participants needed to score 13 correct answers. The overall number of radiographers who correctly passed the questionnaire was 48 (88.9%). None of the participants correctly stated all the DRL values for chest, abdomen and brain CT. However, four out of 54 respondents (7.4%) knew the chest DRL value, three (5.6%) participants correctly estimated the abdominal DRL value but only two (3.7%) knew the DRL for the brain. CONCLUSION: Good general knowledge was found amongst radiographers regarding the relationship of each exposure parameter to the image quality and patient dose. However, there was poor knowledge of diagnostic reference levels and the order of the organ radiation sensitivity. The need for CT radiographers to undertake further education that focuses on radiation exposure in CT is highlighted.
Authors: Mohammad Rawashdeh; Charbel Saade; Maha Zaitoun; Mostafa Abdelrahman; Patrick Brennan; Haytham Alewaidat; Mark F McEntee Journal: J Appl Clin Med Phys Date: 2019-08-30 Impact factor: 2.102