Moolman N, Mulla F, Mdletshe S
Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Radiography (Lond). 2020 May;26(2):117-121. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2019.09.006. Epub 2019 Oct 9.
Digital radiography (DR) poses the risk of unnoticed increases in patient dose, potentially resulting in the overexposure of paediatric patients. In some jurisdictions, there is a shortfall in the knowledge and application of safe paediatric radiation dose protocols. In such instances, radiographers can lack an understanding of the relationship between exposure index (EI) and the visual appearances of image noise, thereby resulting in under- or overexposure to the paediatric patient.
A quantitative, descriptive research study was conducted at six purposively selected diagnostic radiology departments in Gauteng, South Africa. The study was based on a 29-item questionnaire seeking to quantify the radiographers' knowledge of paediatric radiation dose protocols and whether their knowledge translated into safe radiation dose practice.
A 94% (61/65) response rate was achieved. Results show a low number of respondents (35, 57%) expressed a positive opinion of their knowledge of paediatric radiation dose protocols and EI; however, 41 (67%) participants were unaware of the function of EI.
The study revealed that, in Gauteng, there is an increased demand for further training in paediatric radiation dose protocols and a need for radiographers to improve awareness of exposure factors.
Improving radiographers' lack of knowledge of paediatric radiation dose protocols in Gauteng is important. It is essential that radiographers receive continuous training and education highlighting the importance of justification and optimisation of radiological examinations.
数字X线摄影（DR）存在患者剂量未被察觉增加的风险，这可能导致儿科患者受到过度照射。在一些司法管辖区，安全的儿科辐射剂量协议的知识和应用存在不足。在这种情况下，放射技师可能缺乏对曝光指数（EI）与图像噪声视觉外观之间关系的理解，从而导致儿科患者曝光不足或过度曝光。
在南非豪登省六个有目的地选择的诊断放射科进行了一项定量描述性研究。该研究基于一份包含29个项目的问卷，旨在量化放射技师对儿科辐射剂量协议的知识，以及他们的知识是否转化为安全的辐射剂量实践。
实现了94%（61/65）的回复率。结果显示，只有少数受访者（35人，占57%）对他们关于儿科辐射剂量协议和EI的知识表示肯定；然而，41名（67%）参与者不知道EI的功能。
该研究表明，在豪登省，对儿科辐射剂量协议的进一步培训需求增加，放射技师需要提高对曝光因素的认识。
改善豪登省放射技师对儿科辐射剂量协议知识的欠缺很重要。放射技师必须接受持续培训和教育，强调放射检查正当性和优化的重要性。
