Aims and objectives
It is quite well spread that exposure to high levels of radiation increases the risk of cancer [1].
Some authors believe that even low levels of radiation such as those encountered during radiological examination lead to increased cancer risk [2,3].
Methods of estimating the risk of cancer and the exposure needed to cause cancer are inexact,
and some authors argue that radiation estimates are overstated [4,5].
And it was shown in various studies that medical professional’s knowledge on radiation dose and risks is inadequate [6,7]....
Methods and materials
We performed a prospective survey study based on A 20-question questionnaire (in French and explained in Arabic for patients) mostly in multiple choice format.
Standard variables,
including age,
sex and education were also collected.
The questionnaire was distributed on social Tunisian networks and conducted orally in the trauma center of Ben Arous for patients and hospital staff with their consent.
The including was based on a sampling random recruitment including patient receiving radiological examination in our center.
By excluding patients with head injuries or serious...
Results
Concerning the patients’ group:
The group was made by 41% men and 59% women with an age ranging from 10 to 66 years.Level of study was variable with a majority of patients that have attended university (58%).
In this group a majority of patients (91%) find important to know about X-ray effects and more than 60% felt worried about that.
60.7% of patients have never seen or heard news about radiation in medical imaging and its’ effect.
About 80% of patients declared making difference between...
Conclusion
Our study is definitely not perfect and suffer from some limitations such as the fact that respondents can try to guess what the surveyor wants rather than answering what they truly believe.
Besides our study reflects the responses of patients at an urban academic hospital and may not be generalizable to other populations.
Concerning the paramedics sample,
the size was too small and that could be considered unrepresentative.
Paramedics working with X-ray (radiology,
radiotherapy,
nuclear medicine) were not distinguished.
The survey was conducted during the...
References
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