title: GP speciality trainees' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding risks associated with common radiological investigations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thirty-eight million radiological or radio-diagnostic tests were undertaken in England between August 2010 and August 2011. A systematic review of studies based in secondary care reports that risk is rarely discussed with patients undergoing radiological investigations and only a minority of hospital doctors are well informed about the dose and risk associated with common radiological procedures. There is little available evidence on knowledge, attitudes and practice of radiological risk in a primary care setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Explore knowledge, attitudes and practice of discussing risks associated with common radiological procedures amongst current general practice specialty trainees (GPSTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  GPSTs in Wales.
  
  
  METHODS
  trainees' current knowledge, attitude and practice with regard to risk communication about radiological procedures. Participants estimated the radiation dose of common radiological investigations, using a chest X-ray as one unit. Participants were also asked to estimate the lifetime cancer risk associated with common radiological procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twenty-eight completed questionnaires were returned (response rate 32%). Only 28% of respondents had prior radiation training. Although most respondents felt it was the referrer's role to explain the risk of radiological procedures (85%), the vast majority underestimated the radiation doses associated with commonly requested investigations, including lumbar and thoracic spine X-rays.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  General practice specialty trainees underestimate the risk of common radiological procedures. Educational interventions are needed to address this issue, particularly in light of increasing open access to radiology in primary care.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Department of Medical and Dental Education, Wales Deanery, 8th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd Building Heath Park Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK. hannahwilloughby2002@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Willoughby
authors.forename: Haroon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jenkinson
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011859:Radiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment