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Insights into Imaging

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Original Article

Awareness and knowledge of radiation dose and associated risks among final year medical students in Norway

Author: Sundaran Kada

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 6/2017

Abstract

Objectives

The objective was to assess the knowledge of radiation dose and of the associated risks with ionising imaging examinations of medical students in their final year of training prior to graduating.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to all final year medical students from two universities. The questionnaire consisted of radiation dose and risk related questions, with multiple choices, only one of these choices was the correct answer. A ‘correct’ answer was given one mark and no mark was given for ‘incorrect/do not know’ answers. The total mean score ranged from 0 to 11, with higher scores representing greater knowledge about radiation doses and the associated risks.

Results

Ninety-nine students completed and returned the questionnaire yielding a response rate of 45%. The total mean score was 3.91 out of possible 11. Only eighteen students scored more than five points (50%). Students who reported moderate confidence in their knowledge about radiation dose and risks, scored significantly higher than students who reported no confidence (p = 0.003). There was a moderate positive correlation between students that reported moderate confidence and radiation knowledge scores (rho = .301, p = .002).

Conclusion

Overall medical students’ knowledge of radiation dose and the risks associated with ionising imaging examinations was reported to be low.

Main messages

• Medical students’ knowledge about radiation and associated risk is poor

• Students are not aware of radiation doses for common radiological procedures

• The majority of students underestimated radiation doses for specific examinations

• Students with confidence reported greater knowledge than students with no confidence

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Title: Awareness and knowledge of radiation dose and associated risks among final year medical students in Norway
Author: Sundaran Kada
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Insights into Imaging / Issue 6/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-017-0569-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Awareness and knowledge of radiation dose and associated risks among final year medical students in Norway

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Main messages

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Main messages

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