An Evaluation of Diagnostic Radiology Knowledge Among Medical Undergraduates
Main Article Content
Keywords
Diagnostic radiology, Medical education, Awareness, Career choice
Abstract
The field of radiology plays a crucial role in modern healthcare, yet medical students often lack awareness and understanding of this discipline. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of medical undergraduates toward diagnostic radiology.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted coinciding with the International Day of Radiology amid the country's ongoing crisis. Data were collected through self-administered surveys and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: A total of 269 medical students aged 17 to 30 participated, with 63.6% being male. The findings indicated a satisfactory understanding of fundamental radiology concepts among respondents. While 73.6% were familiar with interventional radiology, some misconceptions persisted, particularly concerning radiation exposure in imaging techniques. Notably, only 24.5% of students showed interest in pursuing radiology as a future career.
Conclusions: The study underscores the impact of awareness levels on career choices, highlighting the need for improved teaching methods and guidance from medical professionals and educators to foster interest in radiology among medical students.
References
1. FDA. Medical Imaging. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/radiation-emitting-products-and-procedures/medical-imaging. Accessed 01 Sept 2020.
2. WHO. Diagnostic imaging. Available at: https://www.who.int/diagnostic_imaging/en/. Accessed 01 Sept 2020.
3. Alnajjar SF, Alshamrani HM, Banasser AM, Alshehri HZ, Wazzan MA, Abduljabbar AH. Awareness of interventional radiology among medical students at a Saudi Medical School: clerkship versus pre-clerkship years. Oman Med J. 2019;34(5):420. doi: 10.5001/omj.2019.77.
4. Hendee WR, Becker GJ, Borgstede JP, et al. Addressing overutilization in medical imaging. Radiology. 2010;257(1):240–245. doi: 10.1148/radiol.10100063.
5. Cardis E, Vrijheid M, Blettner M, et al. Risk of cancer after low doses of ionising radiation: retrospective cohort study in 15 countries. BMJ. 2005;331(7508):1–6. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38499.599861.E0.
6. Berrington de González A, Darby S. Risk of cancer from diagnostic X-rays: estimates for the UK and 14 other countries. Lancet. 2004;363(9406):345–351. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(04)15433-0.
7. Ip IK, Schneider LI, Hanson R, et al. Adoption and meaningful use of computerized physician order entry with an integrated clinical decision support system for radiology: ten-year analysis in an urban teaching hospital. J Am Coll Radiol. 2012;9(2):129–136. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2011.10.010.
8. Lehnert BE, Bree RL. Analysis of appropriateness of outpatient CT and MRI referred from primary care clinics at an academic medical center: how critical is the need for improved decision support? J Am Coll Radiol. 2010;7(3):192–197. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2009.11.010.
9. Dillon JE, Slanetz PJ. Teaching evidence-based imaging in the radiology clerkship using the ACR appropriateness criteria. Acad Radiol. 2010;17(7):912–916. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2010.03.001.
10. Leschied JR, Knoepp US, Hoff CN, et al. Emergency radiology elective improves second-year medical students’ perceived confidence and knowledge of appropriate imaging utilization. Acad Radiol. 2013;20(9):1168–1176. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2013.05.011.
11. Sawaf B, Abbas F, Idris A, Al Saadi T, Ibrahim N. Specialty preference and intentions to study abroad of Syrian medical students during the crisis. BMC Med Educ. 2018;18(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s12909-018-1146-x.
12. Dellie ST, Admassie D, Ewnetu Y. An assessment of final-year medical students and interns awareness of radiation exposure to common diagnostic imaging procedures. Adv Radiol. 2014. doi: 10.1155/2014/426909.
13. McCusker M, de Blacam C, Keogan M, McDermott R, Beddy P. Survey of medical students and junior house doctors on the effects of medical radiation: is medical education deficient? Ir J Med Sci. 2009;178(4):479–483. doi: 10.1007/s11845-009-0341-5.
14. Paolicchi F, Miniati F, Bastiani L, et al. Assessment of radiation protection awareness and knowledge about radiological examination doses among Italian radiographers. Insights Imaging. 2016;7(2):233–242. doi: 10.1007/s13244-015-0445-6.
15. Zhou G, Wong D, Nguyen L, Mendelson R. Student and intern awareness of ionising radiation exposure from common diagnostic imaging procedures. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2010;54(1):17–23. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-9485.2010.02132.x.
16. Mubeen SM, Abbas Q, Nisar N. Knowledge about ionising and non-ionising radiation among medical students. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2008;20(1):118–121.
17. Singh R, McCoubrie P, Burney K, Miles JA. Teaching medical students about radiation protection—what do they need to know? Clin Radiol. 2008;63(12):1344–1349. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2008.06.010.
18. Haddad MC, Loutfi SI, Tamraz JC, Al-Kutoubi AO. The status of radiology in the Arab world. J Med Liban. 2007;55(2):94–98.
19. World Health Organization. (2018) Syrian Arab Republic: annual report 2018. Available at: https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/world-health-organization-syrian-arab-republic-annual-report-2018. Accessed 02 Sept 2020.
20. Kada S. Awareness and knowledge of radiation dose and associated risks among final year medical students in Norway. Insights Imaging. 2017;8(6):599–605. doi: 10.1007/s13244-017-0569-y.
21. Prezzia C, Vorona G, Greenspan R. Fourth-year medical student opinions and basic knowledge regarding the field of radiology. Acad Radiol. 2013;20(3):272–283. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2012.10.004.
22. Leong S, Keeling AN, Lee MJ. A survey of interventional radiology awareness among final-year medical students in a European country. Cardiovasc Interv Radiol. 2009;32(4):623–629. doi: 10.1007/s00270-009-9569-8.
23. O’Sullivan J, O’Connor OJ, O’Regan K, et al. An assessment of medical students’ awareness of radiation exposures associated with diagnostic imaging investigations. Insights Imaging. 2010;1(2):86–92. doi: 10.1007/s13244-010-0009-8.
24. Brent RL. Saving lives and changing family histories: appropriate counseling of pregnant women and men and women of reproductive age, concerning the risk of diagnostic radiation exposures during and before pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009;200(1):4–24. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.06.032.
25. De Santis M, Cesari E, Nobili E, Straface G, Cavaliere AF, Caruso A. Radiation effects on development. Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2007;81(3):177–182. doi: 10.1002/bdrc.20099.
26. International Commission on Radiological Protection. The 2007 recommendations of the international commission on radiological protection. ICRP publication 103. Ann ICRP. 2007;37(2, 3, 4):i-IFC.
27. Hamarsheh A, Amro A. Knowledge and awareness of radiation hazards among Palestinian radio technologists. East Mediterr Health J. 2017;23(8):576–580. doi: 10.26719/2017.23.8.576.
28. International Commission on Radiological Protection. 1990 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Ann ICRP. 1991;21(1–3):i–203.
29. Berrington de González A, Mahesh M, Kim KP, et al. Projected cancer risks from computed tomographic scans performed in the United States in 2007. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(22):2071–2077. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.440.
30. Radiation Dose in X-Ray and CT Exams. Available at: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/pdf/safety-xray.pdf. Accessed 02 Sept 2020.
31. Faggioni L, Paolicchi F, Bastiani L, et al. Awareness of radiation protection and dose levels of imaging procedures among medical students, radiography students, and radiology residents at an academic hospital: results of a comprehensive survey. Eur J Radiol. 2017;86:135–142. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2016.10.033.
32. Gunderman RB. Medical students are our future. J Am Coll Radiol. 2005;2(9):795–797. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2005.05.014.
33. Rogers LF. Imaging literacy: a laudable goal in the education of medical students. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(5):1201–1201. doi: 10.2214/ajr.180.5.1801201.
34. Agrawal D, Renfrew MA, Singhal S, Bhansali Y. Awareness and knowledge of interventional radiology among medical students at an Indian institution. Cvir Endovasc. 2019;2(1):1–7. doi: 10.1186/s42155-019-0093-x.
35. Muzumdar S, Dayal S, Mohamed M, et al. Understanding the awareness, knowledge and perceptions of interventional radiology amongst undergraduates in the UK. Cardiovasc Interv Radiol. 2019;42(10):1459–1465. doi: 10.1007/s00270-019-02234-5.
36. O'Malley L, Athreya S. Awareness and level of knowledge of interventional radiology among medical students at a Canadian institution. Acad Radiol. 2012;19(7):894–901. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2012.03.009.
37. IBP Inc. Middle East and Arabic countries environmental law handbook volume 1 strategic information and regulations. International Business Publications, Alexandria. 2009.
38. Alblowi A, Albalawi SM, Alshehri MM, Osman H. Radiation awareness among sixth-year medical students and interns at University of Tabuk. Saudi Arabia BRJMCS. 2015;6(2):24–29.
39. AlDossari HM, Aldossari A, AlRashed A. Assessing the level of knowledge about radiation dose in common radiological examinations among physicians in Riyadh. Surgery. 2018;22(23):22.
40. Algohani KA, Aldahhasi AA, Algarni AH, et al. Awareness of radiation protection measures among radiologists and non-radiologists. Egypt J Hosp. 2018;70(3):371–375. doi: 10.12816/0043471.
41. Alreshidi MN, Alshubrmi D, Alreshidi F, et al. Knowledge about imaging modalities, risks, and protection in radiology among medical students at the University of Hail. Avicenna J Med. 2020;10(1):15. doi: 10.4103/ajm.ajm_49_19.
2. WHO. Diagnostic imaging. Available at: https://www.who.int/diagnostic_imaging/en/. Accessed 01 Sept 2020.
3. Alnajjar SF, Alshamrani HM, Banasser AM, Alshehri HZ, Wazzan MA, Abduljabbar AH. Awareness of interventional radiology among medical students at a Saudi Medical School: clerkship versus pre-clerkship years. Oman Med J. 2019;34(5):420. doi: 10.5001/omj.2019.77.
4. Hendee WR, Becker GJ, Borgstede JP, et al. Addressing overutilization in medical imaging. Radiology. 2010;257(1):240–245. doi: 10.1148/radiol.10100063.
5. Cardis E, Vrijheid M, Blettner M, et al. Risk of cancer after low doses of ionising radiation: retrospective cohort study in 15 countries. BMJ. 2005;331(7508):1–6. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38499.599861.E0.
6. Berrington de González A, Darby S. Risk of cancer from diagnostic X-rays: estimates for the UK and 14 other countries. Lancet. 2004;363(9406):345–351. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(04)15433-0.
7. Ip IK, Schneider LI, Hanson R, et al. Adoption and meaningful use of computerized physician order entry with an integrated clinical decision support system for radiology: ten-year analysis in an urban teaching hospital. J Am Coll Radiol. 2012;9(2):129–136. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2011.10.010.
8. Lehnert BE, Bree RL. Analysis of appropriateness of outpatient CT and MRI referred from primary care clinics at an academic medical center: how critical is the need for improved decision support? J Am Coll Radiol. 2010;7(3):192–197. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2009.11.010.
9. Dillon JE, Slanetz PJ. Teaching evidence-based imaging in the radiology clerkship using the ACR appropriateness criteria. Acad Radiol. 2010;17(7):912–916. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2010.03.001.
10. Leschied JR, Knoepp US, Hoff CN, et al. Emergency radiology elective improves second-year medical students’ perceived confidence and knowledge of appropriate imaging utilization. Acad Radiol. 2013;20(9):1168–1176. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2013.05.011.
11. Sawaf B, Abbas F, Idris A, Al Saadi T, Ibrahim N. Specialty preference and intentions to study abroad of Syrian medical students during the crisis. BMC Med Educ. 2018;18(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s12909-018-1146-x.
12. Dellie ST, Admassie D, Ewnetu Y. An assessment of final-year medical students and interns awareness of radiation exposure to common diagnostic imaging procedures. Adv Radiol. 2014. doi: 10.1155/2014/426909.
13. McCusker M, de Blacam C, Keogan M, McDermott R, Beddy P. Survey of medical students and junior house doctors on the effects of medical radiation: is medical education deficient? Ir J Med Sci. 2009;178(4):479–483. doi: 10.1007/s11845-009-0341-5.
14. Paolicchi F, Miniati F, Bastiani L, et al. Assessment of radiation protection awareness and knowledge about radiological examination doses among Italian radiographers. Insights Imaging. 2016;7(2):233–242. doi: 10.1007/s13244-015-0445-6.
15. Zhou G, Wong D, Nguyen L, Mendelson R. Student and intern awareness of ionising radiation exposure from common diagnostic imaging procedures. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2010;54(1):17–23. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-9485.2010.02132.x.
16. Mubeen SM, Abbas Q, Nisar N. Knowledge about ionising and non-ionising radiation among medical students. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2008;20(1):118–121.
17. Singh R, McCoubrie P, Burney K, Miles JA. Teaching medical students about radiation protection—what do they need to know? Clin Radiol. 2008;63(12):1344–1349. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2008.06.010.
18. Haddad MC, Loutfi SI, Tamraz JC, Al-Kutoubi AO. The status of radiology in the Arab world. J Med Liban. 2007;55(2):94–98.
19. World Health Organization. (2018) Syrian Arab Republic: annual report 2018. Available at: https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/world-health-organization-syrian-arab-republic-annual-report-2018. Accessed 02 Sept 2020.
20. Kada S. Awareness and knowledge of radiation dose and associated risks among final year medical students in Norway. Insights Imaging. 2017;8(6):599–605. doi: 10.1007/s13244-017-0569-y.
21. Prezzia C, Vorona G, Greenspan R. Fourth-year medical student opinions and basic knowledge regarding the field of radiology. Acad Radiol. 2013;20(3):272–283. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2012.10.004.
22. Leong S, Keeling AN, Lee MJ. A survey of interventional radiology awareness among final-year medical students in a European country. Cardiovasc Interv Radiol. 2009;32(4):623–629. doi: 10.1007/s00270-009-9569-8.
23. O’Sullivan J, O’Connor OJ, O’Regan K, et al. An assessment of medical students’ awareness of radiation exposures associated with diagnostic imaging investigations. Insights Imaging. 2010;1(2):86–92. doi: 10.1007/s13244-010-0009-8.
24. Brent RL. Saving lives and changing family histories: appropriate counseling of pregnant women and men and women of reproductive age, concerning the risk of diagnostic radiation exposures during and before pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009;200(1):4–24. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.06.032.
25. De Santis M, Cesari E, Nobili E, Straface G, Cavaliere AF, Caruso A. Radiation effects on development. Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2007;81(3):177–182. doi: 10.1002/bdrc.20099.
26. International Commission on Radiological Protection. The 2007 recommendations of the international commission on radiological protection. ICRP publication 103. Ann ICRP. 2007;37(2, 3, 4):i-IFC.
27. Hamarsheh A, Amro A. Knowledge and awareness of radiation hazards among Palestinian radio technologists. East Mediterr Health J. 2017;23(8):576–580. doi: 10.26719/2017.23.8.576.
28. International Commission on Radiological Protection. 1990 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Ann ICRP. 1991;21(1–3):i–203.
29. Berrington de González A, Mahesh M, Kim KP, et al. Projected cancer risks from computed tomographic scans performed in the United States in 2007. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(22):2071–2077. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.440.
30. Radiation Dose in X-Ray and CT Exams. Available at: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/pdf/safety-xray.pdf. Accessed 02 Sept 2020.
31. Faggioni L, Paolicchi F, Bastiani L, et al. Awareness of radiation protection and dose levels of imaging procedures among medical students, radiography students, and radiology residents at an academic hospital: results of a comprehensive survey. Eur J Radiol. 2017;86:135–142. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2016.10.033.
32. Gunderman RB. Medical students are our future. J Am Coll Radiol. 2005;2(9):795–797. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2005.05.014.
33. Rogers LF. Imaging literacy: a laudable goal in the education of medical students. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(5):1201–1201. doi: 10.2214/ajr.180.5.1801201.
34. Agrawal D, Renfrew MA, Singhal S, Bhansali Y. Awareness and knowledge of interventional radiology among medical students at an Indian institution. Cvir Endovasc. 2019;2(1):1–7. doi: 10.1186/s42155-019-0093-x.
35. Muzumdar S, Dayal S, Mohamed M, et al. Understanding the awareness, knowledge and perceptions of interventional radiology amongst undergraduates in the UK. Cardiovasc Interv Radiol. 2019;42(10):1459–1465. doi: 10.1007/s00270-019-02234-5.
36. O'Malley L, Athreya S. Awareness and level of knowledge of interventional radiology among medical students at a Canadian institution. Acad Radiol. 2012;19(7):894–901. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2012.03.009.
37. IBP Inc. Middle East and Arabic countries environmental law handbook volume 1 strategic information and regulations. International Business Publications, Alexandria. 2009.
38. Alblowi A, Albalawi SM, Alshehri MM, Osman H. Radiation awareness among sixth-year medical students and interns at University of Tabuk. Saudi Arabia BRJMCS. 2015;6(2):24–29.
39. AlDossari HM, Aldossari A, AlRashed A. Assessing the level of knowledge about radiation dose in common radiological examinations among physicians in Riyadh. Surgery. 2018;22(23):22.
40. Algohani KA, Aldahhasi AA, Algarni AH, et al. Awareness of radiation protection measures among radiologists and non-radiologists. Egypt J Hosp. 2018;70(3):371–375. doi: 10.12816/0043471.
41. Alreshidi MN, Alshubrmi D, Alreshidi F, et al. Knowledge about imaging modalities, risks, and protection in radiology among medical students at the University of Hail. Avicenna J Med. 2020;10(1):15. doi: 10.4103/ajm.ajm_49_19.
Article Sidebar
Published
Dec 25, 2022
Article Details
How to Cite
Maha Abdullah Bin Sughayyir Alotaibi, Waleed Faisal Almutairi, Abdullah Ibrahim Alshudayyid, Khalaf Raieed M Aldosari, ZAID ABDULLAH ALMESHARI ALTAMIMI, Abdulaziz Awwadh D Alotaibi, Tarek Obid Alharbi. (2022). An Evaluation of Diagnostic Radiology Knowledge Among Medical Undergraduates . Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 29(03), 534–539. https://doi.org/10.53555/jptcp.v29i03.5420
Section
Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.