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Survey of medical students and junior house doctors on the effects of medical radiation: is medical education deficient?

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Abstract

Background

We investigated the knowledge of ionising radiation among medical students and junior doctors in Ireland and assessed whether this knowledge improved with clinical experience.

Methods

A total of 269 subjects completed a questionnaire on the fundamentals of diagnostic imaging and patient doses.

Results

Overall knowledge was poor, 99% of subjects underestimated the dose of radiation involved in a barium enema, plain film of abdomen, lumbar spine X-ray and a PET scan. Almost 90% underestimated the dose of a CT abdomen/pelvis. 42% of subjects knew that PET involved ionising radiation while 27% thought that MRI did. There was a significant improvement in understanding after transition to a clinical environment, however, no further development. 1% had attended formal radiation protection courses.

Conclusion

The knowledge of basic radiological procedures and patient doses was extremely limited. Current undergraduate teaching needs to be expanded and continued post-qualification to improve core understanding and facilitate safe practice.

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Correspondence to P. Beddy.

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McCusker, M.W., de Blacam, C., Keogan, M. et al. Survey of medical students and junior house doctors on the effects of medical radiation: is medical education deficient?. Ir J Med Sci 178, 479–483 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0341-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0341-5

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