U.S. Technologists' radiation exposure perceptions and practices.

Background: Despite early recognition of the potential hazards of ionizing radiation and research documenting these hazards over the past 115 years, problems persist regarding the safety of medical procedures that use ionizing radiation for imaging.

Objective: This investigation sought to evaluate current attitudes and radiation protection practices among radiologic technologists following recent reports of the dramatic increase in radiation dose in the United States.

Method: A survey was sent to a stratified random sample of 2000 radiologic technologists in the U.S. whose names were obtained from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Results: Radiographers are aware of the increase in exposure to the U.S. population from medical sources and some of their self-reported observations and practices are contributing to this increase.

Conclusion: Radiologic technologists are aware of exposure increases and may be contributing to the increase in patient dose in the U.S., largely because there is a lack of in-service education. Commonly recognized and accepted methods of radiation protection practices are being applied to reduce dose to U.S. patients, but not routinely so. These skills require periodic updates and reminders.