AI Article Synopsis
- The study examines the level of awareness about radiation risks among emergency department doctors in Australia, focusing on their understanding of radiation doses and cancer risks associated with common diagnostic imaging.
- Findings revealed that many physicians overestimate the risks and doses from diagnostic imaging compared to natural background radiation, though they often ranked the scans appropriately despite inaccuracies in their estimates.
- The study concluded that doctors feel less confident in their radiation knowledge and highlighted the necessity for enhanced education to improve awareness and understanding of radiation safety in diagnostic procedures.
Article Abstract
Background: The large number of diagnostic procedures undertaken in emergency departments (ED) is vital to the early diagnosis and treatment of patients. The use of ionising radiation in diagnosis adds a lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer depending on the region imaged, the frequency of imaging, and dose per exposure.
Aims: This pilot study aims to assess the degree of radiation awareness amongst ED doctors at major metropolitan and regional health services in Australia, in terms of the dose and risks associated with common imaging. Secondary aims were to provide a template to practically evaluate ED doctor radiation awareness, identify factors impacting upon radiation awareness (e.g., location, seniority of doctor), and to suggest practical means to improve radiation awareness.
Methods: Physicians in the EDs of two major health services (one regional and one metropolitan) in Australia were surveyed and asked to compare the radiation dose from each procedure to what the general population is exposed to naturally from background radiation. Additionally, the physicians were asked to estimate the LAR of cancer from each diagnostic procedure. These estimates were compared to literature-sourced values to assess the accuracy of physician responses.
Results: Results showed that there was significant variance with regard to knowledge of dose and risk, and that respondents tended to greatly overexaggerate the radiation levels and risk associated with diagnostic imaging. Despite failing to attribute correct values, in many cases, respondents ranked scans correctly. Responses comparing differences amongst the two health services and amongst different levels of medical hierarchy largely overlapped with no clear difference between these factors.
Conclusion: Physicians reported low confidence in their knowledge of radiation awareness and indicated the need for additional education, which would assist them in communicating the risks to patients. Furthermore, such education would assist physicians in tailoring their diagnostic imaging requests so as to minimise radiation levels in patients.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4674659 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.4066/AMJ.2015.2452 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
[Ophthalmic oncology in a warmer world: climate-related increase in the prevalence of eyelid cancer].
Ophthalmologie
January 2025
Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Klinikum Chemnitz, Flemmingstr. 2, 09116, Chemnitz, Deutschland.
Background: Damage induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays a decisive role in the carcinogenesis of malignant tumors of the eyelids.
Methods: A selective literature search was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar.
Results: Large epidemiological studies show an increase in the prevalence of eyelid tumors in recent decades.
Epidemiology of Rectal Cancer Patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol
December 2024
Department of Medical Oncology, Bahrain Oncology Centre, Muharraq, Bahrain.
Aim And Background: As rectal cancer diagnosis becomes more prevalent due to the increased awareness caused by campaigns, this study aims to focus on the demographics of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted on 184 patients diagnosed with primary or second primary rectal cancer. Stage and site of tumor at diagnosis, gender, BMI, family history, histology, and metastasis are discussed throughout the paper.
Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound as a Method of Splenic Injury Assessment.
J Med Ultrasound
September 2024
Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
Splenic injuries are common in abdominal trauma, as the spleen is one of the most often harmed organs. The treatment of splenic injuries underwent major changes during the past decades, shifting from a surgical approach to nonoperative management. This change of the proceedings results from a constantly growing awareness of the spleen's crucial hematological and immunological function and was possible owing to the advances in radiological techniques.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProgress and Challenges in Integrating Nutritional Care into Oncology Practice: Results from a National Survey on Behalf of the NutriOnc Research Group.
Nutrients
January 2025
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Introduction: Nutritional care is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes by addressing malnutrition and enhancing recovery. Despite growing awareness, the integration of evidence-based nutritional strategies into oncology remains inconsistent. Following a 2020 survey that highlighted critical gaps, the NutriOnc Research Group launched targeted initiatives to raise awareness and improve practices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcral Lentiginous Melanoma. Part I. Epidemiology, Etiology, Clinical Presentation, and Diagnosis.
J Am Acad Dermatol
January 2025
Department of Dermatology, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Electronic address:
This review article focuses on acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), a rare cutaneous malignancy and the least common subtype of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). ALM exhibits distinct characteristics, such as low overall mutation rates and increased chromosomal alterations. It is associated with worse prognosis, more advanced disease, and lower survival rates compared to other CMM subtypes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!