title: Evaluation of clinicians' knowledge and practices regarding medical radiological exposure: findings from a mixed-methods investigation (survey and qualitative study).
abstract: To assess the impact of initiatives aiming to increase clinician awareness of radiation exposure; to explore the challenges they face when communicating with patients; to study what they think is the most appropriate way of communicating the long-term potential risks of medical radiological exposure to patients.
  
  
  
  A quantitative and qualitative evaluation through a survey and focal groups.
  
  
  
  San Juan Hospital and Dr Peset Hospital (Southeast Spain) and clinicians from Spanish scientific societies.
  
  
  
  The surveys were answered (a) in person (216: all the radiologists (30), urologists (14) and surgeons (44) working at both participant hospitals; a sample of general practitioners from the catchment area of one hospital (45), and a consecutive sample of radiologists attending a scientific meeting (60)) or (b) electronically through Spanish scientific societies (299: radiologists (45), pneumologists (123), haematologists (75) and surgeons (40)). Clinicians were not randomly selected and thus the results are limited by the diligence of the individuals filling out the survey.
  
  
  
  Clinicians' knowledge and practices regarding medical radiological exposure, and what they considered most appropriate for communicating information to patients.
  
  
  
  Nearly 80% of the clinicians surveyed had never heard of the European recommendations. Fewer than 20% of the clinicians surveyed identified correctly the radiation equivalence dose of intravenous urography or barium enema. It was reported by 31.7% that they inform patients about the long-term potential risks of ionising radiation. All participants agreed that the most appropriate way to present information is a table with a list of imaging tests and their corresponding radiation equivalence dose in terms of chest X-rays and background radiation exposure.
  
  
  
  Medical radiological exposure is frequently underestimated and rarely explained to patients. With a clear understanding of medical radiological exposure and proper communication tools, clinicians will be able to accurately inform patients.
authors: Department of Public Health, History of Science and Gynecology, Miguel Hernández University, and CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Alicante, Spain.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Lumbreras
authors: Radiodiagnostic Department, Peset Hospital, Valenciana, Spain.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Vilar
authors: Radiodiagnostic Department, San Juan Hospital, Valenciana, Spain.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: González-Álvarez
authors: Psychology Department, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Guilabert
authors: Public Health Department, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain.|CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Spain.
authors: L A
authors: LA
authors: Parker
authors: Public Health Department, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain.|CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Spain.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pastor-Valero
authors: Radiodiagnostic Department, Peset Hospital, Valenciana, Spain.
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Domingo
authors: Radiodiagnostic Department, San Juan Hospital, Valenciana, Spain.
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Fernández-Lorente
authors: Public Health Department, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain.|CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Spain.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Hernández-Aguado
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013030:Spain
keywords: imaging test; qualitative methods.; quantitative methods; radiation exposure