Doctors who request imaging must be well trained in deciding whether diagnostic imaging is indicated\nand have an accurate knowledge of the associated risks. Although radiological doses are\nlow and the chance of late effect is minimal, it should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. This\ncannot be achieved without a proper knowledge and adherence to safe practices. This cross-sectional\nstudy investigates the level of physiciansâ�� knowledge about radiation safety and their attitude\ntowards radiation protection. A self-administered questionnaire, for radiation safety was\nsent to a purposive sample of 120 physicians at Suez Canal University Hospital. Eighty questionnaires\nwere filled by participants (response rate; 66.7%). The sample included 22 radiologists, 15\noncologists, 25 surgeons and 18 orthopedists. Most participants did not receive any radiation\nsafety-related training (88.8%). Radiologists and oncologists were exposed to ionizing radiation\nmore frequently; however, their knowledge was as low as that of other physicians. The overall\nknowledge score ranged from 40% - 60% (mean; 56.5 �± 15.2), with a low score among surgeons\nand orthopedics. The most deficient knowledge was in the dose of background radiation and the\nradiation dose received by patients in each type of radiation procedure. Adherence to safe radiation\npractices was violated by most of participants, especially surgeons and orthopedics, but they\nattributed it to the poor applicability of the protective measures during performing the procedures.\nThis study concluded that physicians at the Suez Canal University Hospital had deficient\nknowledge, unsafe practices and negative attitude towards radiation safety policies & precautions.
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