X-ray has been extensively used in clinical imaging since its discovery by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1985 [1]. X-ray imaging has advanced so much that it is being used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes [2]. Despite its revolutionary benefits in the field of medical science, it is a blessing with a complimentary curse [3, 4]. It also possesses risks of adverse health hazards including cancer, genetic mutation, cataract, skin erythema, and so on [5]. Hence, the knowledge of radiation protection is of crucial importance to all medical professionals including medical students.
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a tiny landlocked country that lies in South Asia. It is situated in the lap of the Himalayas between two gigantic nations, viz., India and China. It has already been 99 years since the installation of the first X-ray machine in Nepal [3, 6]. Various medical education programs including medicine, dental surgery, nursing, medical imaging, medical laboratory technology, optometry, and so on are currently taught in Nepal. Numerous X-ray imaging systems have been installed throughout the country. Though medical imaging is advancing at a rapid pace in Nepal, we still lack radiation protection laws [3, 6, 7]. So, the knowledge of radiation protection plays a substantial role in minimizing the radiation health hazards to all the individuals involved during the X-ray imaging procedures.
Few research papers have reported the knowledge of radiation protection in Nepal. Maharjan S [7] and Maharjan et al [3, 4] had shown adequate knowledge of radiation protection among radiographers, radiography students, and radiology professionals respectively. However, Sah et al [8] demonstrated inadequate awareness among radiography professionals in a governmental hospital setting. Gyawali et al [9] depicted inadequate knowledge among physician doctors in Bharatpur, Nepal.
General radiation protection training should be provided from undergraduate courses followed by updated courses as requested by the Guidelines on radiation protection education and training of medical professions in the European Union No. 175 (2014) [10, 11]. In the present situation, radiation protection is not included in the syllabus of the Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program of Nepal. The internship of MBBS students is limited to the interpretation of radiographs. Given current circumstances, the awareness of radiation protection plays an even significant importance among MBBS students.
In this present work, we aim to determine the knowledge of radiation protection among final year MBBS students at Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center (GMCTHRC), Pokhara, Nepal.