Influence of radiologists' sex and training on fluoroscopy doses during barium enema.
Variables influencing radiation exposure were studied using analysis of covariance in 523 double contrast barium enemas performed by 21 radiology residents (12 female, 9 male). Dose-area products (DAPs) (ns), number of exposures per patient (p < 0.05) and screening times (p < 0.05) were higher for female residents (mean 52.0 Gy cm2, 9.55 exposures and 4.02 min, respectively) than for male residents (mean 41.7 Gy cm2, 8.26 exposures and 3.20 min, respectively). The number of lectures on radiation protection attended by the resident (range 0-20) had no significant effect on these radiation-related variables. Other factors explaining these variables were patient age, diagnosis and anteroposterior thickness. Radiologists' use of ionizing radiation during fluoroscopy may be sex-related. Traditional lecture-based education on radiation protection was not effective with this group; thus, improved methods should be developed to control doses.
Vehmas
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Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland.
Kuosma
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D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003287:Contrast Media; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D012737:Sex Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate