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Lack of radiological awareness among physicians working in a tertiary-care cardiological centre
Maria Joao Correia1, Arianna Hellies, Maria Grazia Andreassi
1Universitary Hospital of Pulido Valente, Lisbon, Portugal.
Insights
Cardiologists show poor awareness of radiation risks from medical imaging. Most underestimate radiation exposure and cancer risks associated with common cardiac procedures, highlighting a critical knowledge gap in radiological safety.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Medical irradiation is a significant source of artificial ionizing radiation exposure in Europe, posing potential biorisks.
- Understanding physician awareness of these risks is crucial for patient safety and radiation protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the level of radiological awareness among physicians in a high-excellence adult and pediatric cardiology center.
- To identify potential gaps in knowledge regarding radiation exposure and associated risks from diagnostic imaging procedures.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based survey was administered to 100 physicians (75 adult cardiology, 25 pediatric cardiology).
- The survey assessed knowledge of radiation contribution from nuclear/radiological tests, cancer risks from specific procedures, and dose estimations relative to a chest X-ray.
Main Results:
- A significant majority of physicians underestimated the contribution of nuclear and radiological tests to overall radiation exposure.
- Most physicians inaccurately estimated the cancer risk associated with stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and its radiation dose compared to a chest X-ray.
- Radiological awareness levels did not correlate with the volume of procedures performed or the physicians' subspecialty (adult vs. pediatric).
Conclusions:
- Physicians in specialized cardiology settings demonstrate a substantial lack of awareness regarding the environmental impact, biorisks, and radiation dose of ionizing imaging exams.
- This knowledge deficit underscores the need for improved education and training on radiation safety in clinical practice.
Background:
Medical irradiation is the most important artificial source of exposure to ionising radiations in Europe and implies biorisks.
Aim:
To assess the level of radiological awareness in a tertiary-care referral centre of adult-pediatric cardiological excellence.
Methods:
One hundred physicians (31 women, age=41+/-8 years) were polled with a simple, one-page, multiple choice questionnaire. Twenty-five physicians worked in a pediatric, 75 in an adult cardiology centre.
Results:
Eighty-nine of the polled physicians wrongly estimated the contribution of nuclear and radiological tests in overall radiation exposure of average US inhabitant as <0.01% (36% of physicians) or <1% (31%) or <10% (22%) (correct answer given by 11% of physicians: >10%). Ninety-five physicians wrongly estimated the risk of fatal cancer associated with a stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy procedure as "zero" (48%) or "<1 in 10 million"(19%) or "<1 in 1 million" (28%) (correct answer given by 5%: >1 in 10,000 tests). Seventy-one wrongly estimated the dose exposure of a myocardial stress perfusion scintigraphy as equal to one (13%), or one-half (9%), or three times (49%) that of a chest X-ray (correct answer given by 29%: 500 times). The average level of radiological awareness was not correlated to the number of radiological-nuclear exams performed/prescribed per year and to the type of (adult or pediatric) working environment.
Conclusion:
Physicians working in an adult and pediatric cardiological environment of excellence are largely unaware of environmental impact, biorisks and dose exposure of the ionising exams they prescribe and/or perform daily.
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