Intrapersonal and Institutional Influences On Overall Perception of Radiation Safety Among Radiologic Technologists

The purpose of the study was to examine mean differences between intrapersonal and institutional variables and the overall perception of radiation safety (OPRS) among U.S. radiologic technologists. The study also sought to demonstrate the applicability of the socioecological model for radiation safety decision-making.

A quantitative, cross-sectional design with the Radiation Actions and Dimensions of Radiation Safety survey instrument was used to collect data and guide hypotheses testing. The 425 research participants included radiologic technologists working in radiography, mammography, computed tomography, and radiology management. Categorical and descriptive data were calculated, and 1-way analysis of variance tests were used to analyze hypotheses.

Seven main effects demonstrated mean differences between groups for the OPRS, including age (F_5,419 = 2.55, P = .03), years of experience (F_5,419 = 4.27, P = .001), primary employed imaging modality (F_2,422 = 9.04, P < .001), primary role (F_2,422 = 4.58, P = .01), shift length (F_3,421 = 10.33, P < .001), primary practice facility (F_4,404 = 5.00, P = .001), and work shift (F_3,405 = 4.14, P = .007), with shift length having the largest effect. Level of education, employment status, number of imaging credentials, gender, patient population, and practice location were not significant at the level of P ≤ .05.

Radiation safety culture is a multidimensional topic that requires consideration of several intervening influences, making the socioecological model well aligned when considering radiation safety culture and radiation safety perception in medical imaging. Previous research on radiation safety perception among radiologic technologists demonstrated that leadership actions, teamwork across imaging stakeholders, organizational learning, and questioning behavior are drivers of OPRS. However, this study's findings demonstrate that radiologic technologist scheduling practices and primary employed imaging modalities also should be considered when seeking to improve OPRS.

This study presents an extensive examination of intrapersonal and institutional variables on OPRS among U.S.-based radiologic technologists and provides findings to support radiation safety culture decision-making in medical imaging, particularly for shift length considerations.