Knowledge and attitudes toward [¹⁸F] fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography...

To investigate the current knowledge and attitudes towards [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) among non-radiologist medical staff in China.

This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 18, 2022, and December 6, 2022, at the First Affiliated Hospital (Southwest Hospital) of the Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) among non-radiologist staff (medical, nursing, and others). The questionnaire survey (Cronbach's α = 0.887) included 28 items: 10 on demographics, 11 on knowledge (maximum score of 22), and seven on attitudes (maximum score of 35). The factors influencing knowledge and attitudes were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

This study analyzed 631 valid questionnaires. The mean knowledge score was 7.16 ± 6.48 (32.55%), indicating poor knowledge. The mean attitude score was 22.859 ± 2.36 (65.29%), indicating positive attitudes. Nursing (OR = 0.301, 95%CI: 0.159-0.571), other occupations (OR = 0.426, 95%CI: 0.200-0.905), departments with high volumes of PET/CT prescriptions (OR = 0.419, 95%CI: 0.269-0.652), radioprotection training (OR = 2.520, 95%CI: 1.576-4.030), underwent (or a relative) a PET/CT (OR = 1.713, 95%CI: 1.063-2.761), and contact with 1-10 (OR = 2.429, 95%CI: 1.627-3.627) or > 10 (OR = 3.575, 95%CI: 1.762-7.252) patients per month were independently associated with higher knowledge scores. Only the knowledge scores (OR = 1.063, 95%CI: 1.032-1.094) were independently associated with higher attitude scores.

Non-radiologist medical staff members in China have poor knowledge but positive attitudes toward PET/CT. This study identified knowledge areas worth improving in future training interventions. Radioprotection training appears particularly useful in improving the knowledge of PET/CT, which should translate into more favorable attitudes.

Not applicable.