Personal dosimeter utilisation among South African interventionalists.

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Occupational Health
• Radiology

Background:

• Ionising radiation (IR) use in diagnostics and therapy increases patient benefits but elevates occupational risks for healthcare workers.
• Consistent use and monitoring of personal dosimeters (PDs) are crucial for managing workplace IR exposure.
• Inconsistent PD utilization among healthcare workers is a recognized challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on personal dosimeter (PD) utilization and dosimetry practices among South African interventionalists.
• To evaluate factors influencing PD usage and identify areas for improvement in radiation safety.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining surveys and in-depth/group interviews.
• Quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics (STATA 15).
• Qualitative data analyzed thematically using deductive and inductive approaches.

Main Results:

• 108 interventionalists (radiologists, adult/paediatric cardiologists) participated; majority were male, median age 44, median 10 years with fluoroscopy.
• 55% perceived occupational risk as low (2/10); 13% never used a PD, 58% wore it >70% of the time.
• Qualitative data revealed inconsistent and inappropriate PD use; poor awareness of medical physics department roles.

Conclusions:

• Significant underutilization of personal dosimeters (PDs) was observed in South African interventionalists.
• There is a critical need to enhance the evaluation of dosimetry practices to improve radiation safety culture.
• Improved awareness and consistent PD use are essential for effective radiation protection in catheterization laboratories.