title: Radiation safety education in vascular surgery training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endovascular volume during vascular surgery training has increased profoundly over recent decades, providing heavy exposure to ionizing radiation. The study purpose was to examine the radiation safety training and practices of current vascular surgery trainees.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous survey was distributed to all current U.S. trainees. Responses were compared according to the presence of formal radiation safety training and also the trainees' perception of their attendings' adherence to As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 14%. Forty-five percent had no formal radiation safety training, 74% were unaware of the radiation safety policy for pregnant females, 48% did not know their radiation safety officer's contact information, and 43% were unaware of the yearly acceptable levels of radiation exposure. Trained residents knew more basic radiation safety information, and more likely wore their dosimeter badges (P < .05). Trained residents found their radiation safety officer helpful in developing safety habits; untrained residents relied on other residents (P < .05). Trainees who felt their attendings consistently practiced ALARA strategies more likely practiced ALARA themselves (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of formal radiation safety training in respondents may reflect an inadequate state of radiation safety education and practices among U.S. vascular surgery residents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville Campus, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC. Electronic address: sjb1850@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stefano J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bordoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville Campus, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC.
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Carsten
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville Campus, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cull
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville Campus, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC.
authors.forename: Brent L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville Campus, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC.
authors.forename: Spence M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010465:Perception; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011835:Radiation Protection; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D015642:Radiology, Interventional / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards