Moifo Boniface, Tene Ulrich, Moulion Tapouh Jean Roger, Samba Ngano Odette, Tchemtchoua Youta Justine, Simo Augustin, Gonsu Fotsin Joseph
Department of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Radiology Department, Yaoundé Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital (YGOPH), P.O. Box 4362, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Radiol Res Pract. 2017;2017:1245236. doi: 10.1155/2017/1245236. Epub 2017 May 23.
Clinical imaging guidelines (CIGs) are suitable tools to enhance justification of imaging procedures.
To assess physicians' knowledge on irradiation, their self-perception of imaging prescriptions, and the use of CIGs.
A questionnaire of 21 items was self-administered between July and August 2016 to 155 referring physicians working in seven university-affiliated hospitals in Yaoundé and Douala (Cameroon). This pretested questionnaire based on imaging referral practices, the use and the need of CIGs, knowledge on radiation doses of 11 specific radiologic procedures, and knowledge of injurious effects of radiation was completed in the presence of the investigator. Scores were allocated for each question.
155 questionnaires were completed out of 180 administered (86.1%). Participants were 90 (58%) females, 63 (40.64%) specialists, 53 (34.20%) residents/interns, and 39 (25.16%) general practitioners. The average professional experience was 7.4 years (1-25 years). The mean knowledge score was 11.5/59 with no influence of sex, years of experience, and professional category. CIGs users' score was better than nonusers (means 14.2 versus 10.6; < 0.01). 80% of physicians (124/155) underrated radiation doses of routine imaging exams. Seventy-eight (50.3%) participants have knowledge on CIGs and half of them made use of them. "Impact on diagnosis" was the highest justification criteria follow by "impact on treatment decision." Unjustified requests were mainly for "patient expectation or will" or for "research motivations." 96% of interviewees believed that making available national CIGs will improve justification.
Most physicians did not have appropriate awareness about radiation doses for routine imaging procedures. A small number of physicians have knowledge on CIGs but they believe that making available CIGs will improve justification of imaging procedures. Continuous trainings on radiation protection and implementation of national CIGs are therefore recommended.
临床影像指南（CIGs）是增强影像检查合理性的合适工具。
评估医生对辐射的了解、他们对影像检查处方的自我认知以及临床影像指南的使用情况。
2016年7月至8月期间，对喀麦隆雅温得和杜阿拉七家大学附属医院的155名转诊医生进行了一项包含21个项目的问卷调查。该预先测试的问卷基于影像转诊实践、临床影像指南的使用和需求、11种特定放射学检查的辐射剂量知识以及辐射的有害影响知识，由调查人员在场监督完成。每个问题都有相应的得分。
在发放的180份问卷中，共完成了155份（86.1%）。参与者中女性90人（58%），专科医生63人（40.64%），住院医师/实习医生53人（34.20%），全科医生39人（25.16%）。平均专业经验为7.4年（1 - 25年）。平均知识得分为11.5/59，不受性别、经验年限和专业类别的影响。使用临床影像指南的医生得分高于未使用者（平均分分别为14.2和10.6；<0.01）。80%的医生（124/155）低估了常规影像检查的辐射剂量。78名（50.3%）参与者了解临床影像指南，其中一半使用过。“对诊断的影响”是最高的合理性标准，其次是“对治疗决策的影响”。不合理的请求主要是出于“患者期望或意愿”或“研究动机”。96%的受访者认为提供国家临床影像指南将改善检查的合理性。
大多数医生对常规影像检查的辐射剂量没有适当的认识。少数医生了解临床影像指南，但他们认为提供临床影像指南将改善影像检查的合理性。因此，建议持续开展辐射防护培训并实施国家临床影像指南。
