Academic training in radiation safety awareness and practice among Iranian residents/fellows.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the current state of radiation safety awareness and practice among Iranian radiology/cardiology residents.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 725 Iranian cardiology/radiology fellows/residents (685 residents and 40 fellows) were studied. Radiation safety awareness and practice were assessed using a 13-item survey questionnaire. Based on academic trainings provided in their medical centres, the subjects were divided into two groups (trained vs untrained).


RESULTS
Trained residents/fellows had better performance compared with untrained ones regarding awareness of radiation dealing instructions, knowing safety experts of their centres (43.8% vs 20.1%, p<0.001) and their contact information (38.4% vs 11.4%, p<0.001), date of the last CBC (complete blood count) checking (15.1% vs 2.5%, p<0.001), use of lead glass (61.6% vs 41.8%, p=0.003), apron (94.5% vs 90%, p=0.016) and radiation shield (71.2% vs 46.2%, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness/practice of Iranian cardiology/radiology residents/fellows about radiation exposure safety issues is not acceptable currently. Those who received formal training courses at their academic centres about the safety measures had significantly better knowledge compared with those who did not. It is suggested that radiation safety training be offered at the beginning of residency/fellowship for residents/fellows in a comprehensive and uniform way throughout medical universities.
Cardiovascular Research Center , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
Morteza
M
Safi
Cardiovascular Research Center , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
Hossein
H
Aerab-Sheibani
Cardiovascular Research Center , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
Mohammad Hassan
MH
Namazi
Cardiovascular Research Center , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
Hossein
H
Vakili
Cardiovascular Research Center , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
Habibollah
H
Saadat
INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY